Determine which location has the highest composite score:

Marilyn Helm Retailers is attempting to decide on a location for a new retail outlet. At the moment, the firm has three alternatives: stay where it is but enlarge the facility; locate along the main street in nearby Newbury; or locate in a new shopping mall in Hyde Park. The company has selected the four factors listed in the following table as the basis for evaluation and has assigned weights as shown: Factor Description Hyde Park Factor Weight Present Newbury Location 1 Average community 0.30 40 60 50 income Community growth potential 2 0.15 20 20 80 Availability of public transportation 0.20 30 60 50 Labor availability, attitude, and cost 4 0.35 80 50 50 a) Based on the given information, the best location for Marilyn Helm Retailers is to open the new retail outlet in with a total weighted score of 3.