There is relativley little room for growth in the overall

Question

There is relativley little room for growth in the overall carpet market, which is tied to the size of the population. Most who purchase carpet do so only once or twice, first in their twenties ot thirties, and then perhaps again in their fifties or sixties. Thus as the population ages, companies producing carpet will be able to gain market share in the carpet market only through purchasing competitors, and not through more agressive marketing.

Which of the following, if true, casts the most doubt on the conclusion above?

(A) Most of the major carpet producers market other floor coverings as well.
(B) Most established carpet producers market several different brand names and varieties, and there is no remaining niche in the market for new brands to fill.
(C) Two of the three mergers in the industry's last ten years led to a decline in profits and revenues for the the newly merged companies.
(D) Price reductions, achieved by cost-cutting in production, by some of the dominant firms in the carpet market are causing other producers to leave the market altogether.
(E) The carpet market is unlike most markets in that consumers are becoming increasingly resistant to new patterns and styles.

bandit · Answer

D.

Gives an alternate way to gain market share. Thereby undermining the conslusion.

bigtreezl · Answer

Any more takers?

bandit · Answer

OA?

scthakur · Answer

B for me. If there is no niche for the producer to fill in with new brand, purchasing copetitor may not help increase market share.

Economist · Answer

I go with D. Its interesting to know the OA.

B >> Even if there is no niche for 'new' brands, purchasing existing brands will increase marketshare.

bigtreezl · Answer

OA is D

from Power Score LSAT books

sorry no OE

bkumars8 · Answer

I agree with D.

bigoyal · Answer

D for me as well. B is instead strengthening the argument.

abhitheCEO · Answer

i agree with D too.

trainspotting · Answer

C and D are the ones to choose from....But C can be avoided since we need to make an extreme statement when doing a weakening question...So I'll choose D....

sudeep · Answer

It's D.

B/w C and D :
C is not referring to the market share but the revenues and profits and hence not the answer.

jade3 · Answer

IMO Answer D

(A) Most of the major carpet producers market other floor coverings as well.
-Out of scope

(B) Most established carpet producers market several different brand names and varieties,
and there is no remaining niche in the market for new brands to fill. 
-Opposite answers

(C) Two of the three mergers in the industry’s last ten years led to a decline in profits and
revenues for the newly merged companies.
-This is attractive choice but profits and revenues are not market share. Hence incorrect

(D) Price reductions, achieved by cost-cutting in production, by some of the dominant firms in the carpet market are causing other producers to leave the market altogether. 
-This choice shows that to gain market share you don't have to merge but cut cost in production, there by eliminating competition. Hence the correct Choice

(E) The carpet market is unlike most markets in that consumers are becoming increasingly resistant to new patterns and styles. 
-Out of scope

There is relativley little room for growth in the overall

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