Violet Sales Corp, reports the

yearminus−end

information from 2018 as follows:

Sales (35,625 units) $285,000
Cost of goods sold 116,000
Gross margin 169,000
Operating expenses 154,000
Operating income $15,000

Violet is developing the 2019 budget. In 2019 the company would like to increase selling prices by 3.5%, and as a result expectsa decrease in sales volume of 14%. All other operating expenses are expected to remain constant. Assume that cost of goods sold is a variable cost and that operating expenses are a fixed cost.

Should Violet increase the selling price in 2019?

A. Yes, because sales revenue increases for 2019.
B. Yes, because gross margin increases for 2019.
C. No, because sales volume decreases for 2019.
D. No, because operating income decreases for 2019.