Final answer:
The correct answer is less profit, as unhappy customers can lead to reduced sales and potentially cause a business to lose revenue and even go out of business in the face of better competition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question 'Unhappy customers equal _____.' is b) Less profit. Unhappy customers tend to reduce their purchases, request refunds, or switch to competitors. This often leads to a decrease in sales and revenue, impacting the business's profits negatively.
Moreover, if a business faces stiff competition from firms with better or cheaper products, it can significantly reduce the business's profits and may even drive it out of business.
Firms that offer superior or more cost-efficient products, on the other hand, tend to increase their market share and profitability, and their employees may earn higher incomes. On a national scale, the gains from firms offering better products generally outweigh the economic losses experienced by other businesses.
The answer to your question is b) Less profit.