Conclusion: hearing music has a greater impact than hearing advertisements on how much money customers spend when shopping.
Pre-thinking: To strengthen, how can we relate hearing music to customer spending.
Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument above?
(A) A study conducted by a psychologist found that hearing music makes shoppers feel financially secure, so they are more likely to make impulse purchases. -> It is as per our thinking. Let's keep it. If we get a better choice, we shall drop it.
(B) Customers who hear advertisements for things they dislike form a negative association between their shopping experience and what they heard, making them less likely to return to the store where they heard the advertisement. -> return to the store, it is not the conclusion. Incorrect.
(C) Stores that play music tend to carry products that are essential to daily life, while those that advertise specials often stock unessential, fun items that the stores hope consumers will decide to buy on a whim if offered a special price. -> Buy on whim, is also not as per the conclusion.
(D) An economist who studied consumer shopping habits found that about half the population likes to listen to music while shopping, while the other half reports either disliking music or not noticing that music is playing. -> Liking music during buy and Music drives customers to buy are different aspects. Incorrect.
(E) According to a recent sociological study, customers say that hearing specials announced while they are shopping is irritating, but they often take advantage of the discounts offered in those announcements. -> It shouldn't be irritating, as we have to support the conclusion.
So, I think A