ACO Helps the Second Graders with Economics

     Despite the snow this past Friday, Kinloch second graders were visited by ACO Hardware from The Heights Shopping Center.  Second graders are studying goods and services for a social studies unit in economics.  In addition, students are learning that businesses have expenses that have to be paid and the left over money is called a profit.  All second graders will participate in Market Day which helps simulate running a business.  All students have planned a business that provides either a good or a service.  Students had to determine what a good price would be for their product or service in order to make a profit.  We have also discussed how businesses have expenses such as taxes and rent.  All students will need to pay taxes and rent on their business before they can declare a profit.  During the month of March students will receive a weekly pay that they can shop with on Market Day. 

    In order to provide students with a real world experience, four ACO employees came to help us understand how stores purchase products and how they decide on the prices in order to make a profit.  We also learned that ACO is a Michigan based company that employees 1200 people.  Students learned that ACO carries a variety of products at good prices.  The presenters demonstrated with real money how every $1 product at ACO is used to pay for expenses such as gas in delivery trucks, utility bills, and ACO employee paychecks.  After expenses,the store is left with just a 2 cent profit!  Students also learned that if products in the store get broken or damaged, this has an effect on the profit.  ACO also told us that advertising is an important but expensive part of their business. 

     The presenters did a great job of explaining how a store runs and what they need to do to make happy customers as well as a profit.  ACO also was very generous to all the second graders.  Every second grader took home a kite, a yardstick, a kneeling pad for gardening and a super fun pair of glasses.    In addition, they donated a new coffee pot that will be used for parent and community events.  Thank you ACO!



ACO Employees teach students about profit, expenses
and ordering products for the store.

 

     You can show your appreciation and support for ACO being a local Michigan based company by shopping at their store rather than going to the larger hardware stores.  This friendly local store prides itself on getting to know their frequent customers by name and bringing in companies to demonstrate new products.  So this spring when you need lawn bags, stop in your friendly neighborhood ACO store in The Heights Shopping Center and don't forget to tell Ms. Lisa Beaucamp hello from Kinloch Elementary!



Lisa Beaucamp-Merchandising Manager of the Dearborn Heights ACO

Holly Dentico-Executive Administrative Assistant, Imports Coordinator and Merchandising assistant for Tools, Hardware and Special Categories

Chris Ehrisman-Buyer-Paint, Electrical, Plumbing and Automotive

Tim Kroll-Assistant buyer-Lawn and Garden, Sports and Seasonal

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