It’s a typical Plan-Goal argument.
We can use a simple framework for solving this question
STEP 1Identify Plan- increase the number of promotional discount-sale periods to one every six months
Identify Goal- increase profits by increasing sales
STEP 2What happened during the planning & execution stage?• The manufacturer has planned to increase the number of discount sales. There will be one such sales every six months (so currently he holds discount sales but likely not one every six months). He reasons that by increasing the number of such sales, he will be able to attract a significantly higher number of customers than its current steady pool (perhaps by luring away his rivals’ customers). And that is how, he plans to achieve the increase in sales and thereby in profits.
• What he may not have thought of is about the other outcomes of his plan.
• What if his rivals also come up with such discount sales with similar/higher discounts and worse around the same time ? That would definitely impact the number of customers that his discount-sales is supposed to attract.
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Weakener#1 – The rivals of the socks manufacturer also plan to hold similar discount sales around the same time as the manufacturer holds his.
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Weakener#2 – The rivals of the socks manufacturer offer similar/higher discounts during their discount sales to retain their customers/lure new ones.
ANSWER CHOICE ELIMINATIONA. New manufacturing capacity would not be required if the company were to increase the number of pairs of socks sold.
(
This choice talks about the manufacturer’s need to increase his production capacity. This means that there is no extra costs involved in stepping up production to meet increased sales demand. This choice, if anything supports the plan’s success.)
B. Inventory stocks of merchandise ready for sale would be high preceding the increase in the number of discount-sale periods.
(
High stocks before the discount period simply means stocks available for sales during discount periods. This choice does not impact the argument and is out of scope.)
C. The manufacturer’s competitors would match its discounts during sale periods, and its customers would learn to wait for those times to make their purchases.
(
This choice is in line with the weakeners we came up with in STEP 2. Correct choice.)
D. New styles and colors would increase customers’ consciousness of fashion in dress socks, but the customers’ requirements for older styles and colors would not be reduced.
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This choice talks about customer preferences and requirements. If their requirements for older styles is not reduced then, there is a higher likelihood, they would purchase during discount periods which typically also contain older styles. If anything this choice in a remote way supports the plan)
E. The cost of the manufacturer’s raw materials would remain steady, and its customers would have more disposable income
(
This choice supports the plan’s success. If costs of production do not increase and customers have more money to spend, it is good news for the manufacturer) _________________
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