Body Shop International

Assuming that the company’s goal is to maximize profits, the current cost system is not an appropriate tool for strategic planning. The ambiguity of the overhead costs per product makes it difficult to accurately analyze the cause and effect relationships of changes and/or improvements to specific product line.

Using the assumptions given in the case, all elements of income statement and balance sheet can be projected for next three years 2010, 2011 and 2012. Sales cycle of the products of the company is such that sales of a particular product increases initially for few years and then starts to decline as the new technology

Although the company did show an increased gross profit of $8,255,000 with $6,358,000 less Net Sales in 2013 versus 2012, that increase is due to the reduction in product Cost of Goods Sold by $14,613,000. Since increases in product price will negatively affect sales, one of management’s primary goals is to keep prices stable. This objective is achieved through implementation of cost cutting programs, investing in more efficient equipment, and automation of more steps in the production process.

* Our company’s sales forecast has been based on performance from previous years along with market circumstances. We are looking at the future of the business objectively which we then can evaluate past to

The most noticeable growth in this section is seen in sales from 2002 to 2003. These sales have increased from 3.7% in 2001-02 to 23.5% in 2002-03 after the expansion of the store. This truly helps the company to a positive way when seeing such drastic changes. Net earnings have almost doubled and gross profit was on the rise as well, which is also a positive trend for the company that will not go unnoticed. This indicates a positive correlation and increases in profitability.

From 1976 to 1982 the compound annual growth in net sales was 18.5% and the compound annual growth of after tax profit was 25.9%. Therefore, a 10% net sales growth shown in the proforma financial data seems reasonable.

For current assets for each of the following three years, we are projecting the same percentage of 32% of sales. Assets that are constantly flowing in and out of a organization in the normal course of its business as cash converted into goods and then back into cash show small growth if any, in periods of time. The assets that are expected to last or be in use for less than one year will also show the small growth if any due their usage life expectancy. Because of these facts of our current assets, we will continue to use the projected 32% of sales as in previous years. Because this projection served correctly in previous years, we will again use it for the next three years. This decision is based on past accurateness and the consistency of the company.

1. In the last five years the growth in sales for the company has been around 10% per annum, except for the 1997, the growth was 18.78%. In the case, nothing is mentioned that company has made any drastic changes in its strategy to grow faster. In such a scenario, projected a consistent growth of 20% per annum for the next 5 years is too optimistic.

My inventory control procedures provided both increased revenues and cost savings. Quite simply, I ordered adequate levels of products which were in high demand, I was able to better meet customers’ needs, and my revenues increased. The cost savings I experienced as a result of my inventory control procedures were a bit more complex. First, in establishing a routine schedule for ordering, I was able to reap the benefits of lower shipping costs. Because I had a routine schedule, I could

Financing requirements of the company can be determined by calculating the cash requirements of the company by adding the working capital needs and capital expenditure needs of the company. Working capital needs can be calculated by subtracting current liabilities from current assets of the company. Current assets of the company will remain significantly lower than current liabilities for next three years. Working capital needs of the company come out to be $17.523 million, $21,028 million and $21,028 million for years 2010, 2011 and 2012. Capital expenditures of the company will remain at $0.9 million for all three years. Adding the values of working capital needs and capital expenditure needs for all years and by subtracting these values from net income, we can calculate the external financing required by the company to meet the cash needs for next three years. As shown in calculations in excel sheet, external financing requirements for the company come out to be $15.231 million for 2010 and $18.091 million for 2011 and 2012 respectively.

During this time, sales increased from: $7.11 billion in 2010 to $7.99 billion in 2012. Earnings improved from $2.84 to $3.57. While the total amount of dividends rose from $1.00 to $1.72. These figures are showing how the company has been continually increasing sales, earnings and dividends over the last three years. In the future, the management predicts that their current strategy will increase returns. As, executives believe that their focus on building the brand and accounting for costs will lead to net earnings of $5.20 to $7.19 annually by

Profit growth has on average exceeded stated goals from 1997-2003, averaging on 33 %. Transaction value, an indicator of the activity level, has grown notably less than profits (207 % vs. 289 % over six years), indicating profitable growth. This contrasts with the general squeeze on profitability and growth for the industry. International operations have not performed well. Transaction value has grown more than 50 % from 2001-2003, while profits have declined 65 %.

The company’s debt ratios are 54.5% in 1988, 58.69% in 1989, 62.7% in 1990, and 67.37% in 1991. What this means is that the company is increasing its financial risk by taking on more leverage. The company has been taking an extensive amount of purchasing over the past couple of years, which could be the reason as to why net income has not grown much beyond several thousands of dollars. One could argue that the company is trying to expand its inventory to help accumulate future sales. But another problem is that the company’s

Increase in the profits above the actual budget can be attributed to 20% increase in sales in 2009. Although Jean’s profits were above the actual budget, French Division’s earnings were much lower than what it could have been, had they budgeted for the actual volume of sales that they ended up selling. We can partly attribute this decrease in earnings to the fact

This makes the company look good and they can afford to do this from good financial skills. Decisions like this make a good profit in the long run and all in all this is why it is so important to have a good management team.