The correct answer is (C).
(C) Main Point
Step 1: Identify the Question Type
The question asks for the "overall conclusion," which makes this a Main Point question.
Step 2: Untangle the Stimulus
Retailers like to take advantage of the fact that consumers enjoy feeling lucky. [ B] ut the author argues that retailers use price-cutting tactics a bit too much. As evidence, the author claims that such promotions ultimately affect profits and hurt customer loyalty.
Step 3: Make a Prediction
Most of the argument consists of facts, and indisputable facts serve as evidence. Conclusions are opinions, and the author's opinion is only seen once in this argument: "too often." That makes that claim the main point: retailers too often use price cuts to promote their wares. Everything after that is evidence to support this opinion.
Step 4: Evaluate the Answer Choices
(C) correctly identifies the conclusion.
(A) is how consumers feel, not the author.
(B) is a given fact, not the conclusion. The conclusion comes right after this claim, where the author uses but to address a perceived problem.
(D) is the evidence in the last sentence that supports the author's conclusion. It helps prove why using those cuts too frequently is a bad idea.
(E) is a Distortion. The author is not disputing the idea of making customers feel lucky. The author is just disputing the overuse of price cuts as a way to do so.
