第二篇：       Several years ago, managers of the American store Walmart discovered some surprising information fromtheir sales records. They found that when customers bought diapers, they often bought beer at the same time. Thiswas because American housewives with newborn babies often called their husbands at work and had them buydiapers； they often picked up some beer as well. After discovering this, Walmart rearranged its stores. It placeddiapers and beer closer together. Soon afterward, sales of both items began to increase.       This is just one successful example of how stores improve sales by analyzing consumer behavior. They studytheir computerized inventory records to find out what products people buy most often or when they buy certainproducts. Sales records can also be used in conjunction with other types of research, such as market surveys orpsychological studies. For instance, many stores take psychology into consideration when they decide where toplace special sale items. The best location is often near the middle or rear of the store, rather than right up in front.This way, as customers look for the sale item, they will have to pass by many other products, some of which willend up in their carts.       Psychologists have also found that customers buy more when they hear certain types of music in a store. Inaddition, they know that customers tend to make last-minute decisions just before they pay for their purchases.This is why stores place small, inexpensive items such as candy or batteries close to the cash register. Magazinesare also frequently placed in the same place； as waiting to pay, people may flip through a magazine and then decideto buy it.       Studies of consumer behavior can be expensive and time-consuming. It is only large department stores orchain stores that can afford them. But even small shops can benefit if they simply pay attention to the buying habitsof their customers. And, of course, customers can also benefit if they understand their own buying behavior. Withthe knowledge, they can avoid spending more than they originally plan to.
【題組】46. What is the subject matter of this passage?
(A) The latest fashion.
(B) Grocery shopping.
(C) Psychology studies.
(D) Consumer behavior.