Answer:
INCREASE IN AVERAGE INVENTORY VALUE REQUIRED = $2.25 million
Explanation:
Inventory turnover will be determined as :
Inventory turnover = Annual sales ( at cost ) / Inventory value
Annual sales this year = $72million
Inventory turnover = 8 times
Therefore , Inventory value of current year = $72/8 =$ 9 MILLION
If annual sales ( at cost ) increases by 25%, Inventory value also has to increase by 25% to maintain the same inventory turnover ratio next year
Therefore , increase in average inventory value required = 25% of $9 million = $2.25 million
INCREASE IN AVERAGE INVENTORY VALUE REQUIRED = $2.25 million