The vast improvement in communications technology and globalization has caused the degree of competition many local retail businesses face to . a. fluctuate drastically
b. increase
c. decrease
d. stay the same

b. increase

Explanation:

These changes have caused competition to greatly increase. This is mainly because with these changes anyone from around the world can provide the same services/products that a local retail business can provide while reaching customers from all over the world. Therefore, also competing with any retail brick-and-mortar business from any part of the world. Customers can easily communicate with these online businesses and purchase their products/services from the comfort of their homes and usually at a much better price.

a manufacturer of printed circuit boards uses exponential smoothing with trend to forecast monthly demand of its product. at the end of december, the company wishes to forecast sales for january. the estimate of trend through november has been 200 additional boards sold per month. average sales have been around 1000 units per month. the demand for december was 1100 units. the company uses α = 0.20 and β = 0.10. make a forecast including trend for the month of january.