"Some states have had laws restricting the sale of most goods on Sunday. Consumers, by and large, oppose such laws because they find Sunday afternoon a convenient time to shop. Paradoxically, retail trade associations frequently support the laws."

Which of the following is the most likely reason why merchants would support such laws?

Select one:

a. The trade associations are attempting to increase demand on other days of the week by publicly supporting laws that supposedly encourage time spent with families. If retailers are perceived as being family-friendly (by promoting quality time at home instead of at the store), then they stand to gain more customers on the other six days than they would by staying open on Sunday.

b. The retailers were in a prisoners' dilemma. They all wanted to close on Sunday to save money and not lose sales, but the temptation to cheat was high. Those who stayed closed while others were open would lose a great deal of sales. The law essentially imposed a very costly deterrent to cheating.

c. Merchants presume that, even if consumers say they oppose such laws, the likelihood that they would actually shop on a Sunday afternoon is low. The law helps to deflect criticism against the retailers who want to stay closed.

d. Most retail trade associations, though purporting to represent the industry, often do not reflect the beliefs of their members. The association itself may support such laws, but individual retailers (even most of them) likely oppose such laws.