Sales Mix Break-even Point Calculation
Sales mix is the proportion in which two or more products are sold. For the calculation of break-even point for sales mix, following assumptions are made in addition to those already made for CVP analysis:
- The proportion of sales mix must be predetermined.
- The sales mix must not change within the relevant time period.
The calculation method for the break-even point of sales mix is based on the contribution approach method. Since we have multiple products in sales mix therefore it is most likely that we will be dealing with products with different contribution margin per unit and contribution margin ratios. This problem is overcome by calculating weighted average contribution margin per unit and contribution margin ratio. These are then used to calculate the break-even point for sales mix.
The calculation procedure and the formulas are discussed via following example:
Example: Formulas and Calculation Procedure
Following information is related to sales mix of product A, B and C.
| Product | A | B | C |
| Sales Price per Unit | $15 | $21 | $36 |
| Variable Cost per Unit | $9 | $14 | $19 |
| Sales Mix Percentage | 20% | 20% | 60% |
| Total Fixed Cost | $40,000 | ||
Calculate the break-even point in units and in dollars.
Calculation
Step 1: Calculate the contribution margin per unit for each product:
| Product | A | B | C |
| Sales Price per Unit | $15 | $21 | $36 |
| − Variable Cost per Unit | $9 | $14 | $19 |
| Contribution Margin per Unit | $6 | $7 | $17 |
Step 2: Calculate the weighted-average contribution margin per unit for the sales mix using the following formula:
Product A CM per Unit × Product A Sales Mix Percentage
+ Product B CM per Unit × Product B Sales Mix Percentage
+ Product C CM per Unit × Product C Sales Mix Percentage
= Weighted Average Unit Contribution Margin
| Product | A | B | C |
| Sales Price per Unit | $15 | $21 | $36 |
| − Variable Cost per Unit | $9 | $14 | $19 |
| Contribution Margin per Unit | $6 | $7 | $17 |
| × Sales Mix Percentage | 20% | 20% | 60% |
| $1.2 | $1.4 | $10.2 | |
| Sum: Weighted Average CM per Unit | $12.80 | ||
Step 3: Calculate total units of sales mix required to break-even using the formula:
Break-even Point in Units of Sales Mix = Total Fixed Cost ÷ Weighted Average CM per Unit
| Total Fixed Cost | $40,000 |
| ÷ Weighted Average CM per Unit | $12.80 |
| Break-even Point in Units of Sales Mix | 3,125 |
Step 4: Calculate number units of product A, B and C at break-even point:
| Product | A | B | C |
| Sales Mix Ratio | 20% | 20% | 60% |
| × Total Break-even Units | 3,125 | 3,125 | 3,125 |
| Product Units at Break-even Point | 625 | 625 | 1,875 |
Step 5: Calculate Break-even Point in dollars as follows:
| Product | A | B | C |
| Product Units at Break-even Point | 625 | 625 | 1,875 |
| × Price per Unit | $15 | $21 | $36 |
| Product Sales in Dollars | $9,375 | $13,125 | $67,500 |
| Sum: Break-even Point in Dollars | $90,000 | ||
by Irfanullah Jan, ACCA and last modified on