In Preparing for an Audit of the Retail Footwear Division

In preparing for an audit of the retail footwear division of a major retail organization,the auditor gathered the following information about the organization's stores: $$\begin{array} { l r r r r } & \text { All } & \text { Northeast } & \text { Southwest } & \text { Mid-Central } \\& \text { Stores } & \text { Region } & \text { Region } & \text { Region } \\& \$ 736,000 & \$ 840,000 & \$ 760,000 & \$ 630,000 \\\text { Average sales per store } & \$ 375,000 & \$ 420,000 & \$ 325,000 & \$ 395,000 \\\text { Average cost of goods sold per store } & 48 & 13 & 18 & 17 \\\text { Number of stores } & 1,800 & 2,200 & 1,850 & 1,550 \\\text { Average square feet per store } & \$ 137,000 & \$ 152,000 & \$ 140,000 & \$ 122,000 \\\text { Average sales per full-time employee } & \$ 98,000 & \$ 102,000 & \$ 82,000 & \$ 112,000 \\\text { Average wage related expense per store } & \$ 35,000 & \$ 285,000 & \$ 320,000 & \$ 115,000\end{array}$$ Management is concerned about the lower level of profitability in the Mid-Central Region.Which of the following would be a reasonable possible explanation(s) of the lower profitability for the Mid-Central Region?
I.The lower number of stores in the Mid-Central Region.
II.Sales employees are not as productive in generating sales as those in other regions.
III.The Mid-Central Region has a lower gross margin.

A) I only.
B) II only.
C) II and III only.
D) I, II and III.