A trade discount is a reduction from the list price, which is primarily used to:

• A. Reduce the cost of goods sold for the seller
• B. Provide a cash incentive for early payment
• C. Record revenue at the discounted price in the accounting records
• D. Encourage bulk purchases by customers

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of a trade discount: A trade discount is a reduction in the list price of goods or services offered by a seller to a buyer. It is typically used as a marketing strategy to encourage certain behaviors, such as bulk purchasing.
2. Clarify the purpose of trade discounts: Unlike cash discounts, which incentivize early payment, trade discounts are not tied to payment timing. Instead, they are designed to encourage customers to purchase larger quantities of goods.
3. Analyze the options provided in the problem: Evaluate each option to determine its relevance to the purpose of trade discounts. For example, reducing the cost of goods sold for the seller is not the primary purpose of a trade discount, nor is recording revenue at the discounted price.
4. Focus on the correct answer: The primary purpose of a trade discount is to encourage bulk purchases by customers. This benefits the seller by increasing sales volume and potentially reducing inventory costs.
5. Conclude with the accounting treatment: Trade discounts are not recorded separately in the accounting records. Instead, the revenue is recorded at the discounted price, reflecting the agreed-upon transaction value between the buyer and seller.