The nations biggest retailers reported p sales during the last six months. During this period of p sales, profits were weaker than usual. This state of affairs is unusual since or ordinary when sales increase, profits also increase. Which of the following, if true during the last six months, most helps to account for the unusual state of affairs described above
A．A decrease in interest rates allowed many retailers to increase their inventories without having to pay high interest that cut into profits.
B．Sales of women’s and children clothing were up by more than 20 percent while sales of men’s clothing were up by an insignificant amount.
C．Two of the largest independent retailers managed to buy their merchandise at lower prices.
D．The nation’s largest retailers attracted more customers by dramatically advertising the amount of money spent on advertising.
E．(E) Many retailers raised prices in order to take advantage of the recent growth in consumer spending.