_____ -based businesses now account for more than __% of retail space.

• A. Manufacturing-based businesses now account for more than 60% of retail space.
• B. Technology-based businesses now account for more than 40% of retail space.
• C. Service-based businesses now account for more than 50% of retail space.
• D. Agriculture-based businesses now account for more than 70% of retail space.

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is how the economy’s shift toward services shapes where businesses locate. Service-based firms—such as restaurants, hair salons, banks, gyms, and other customer-facing establishments—need physical storefronts to serve customers, so they end up occupying the majority of retail space. Manufacturing-based operations tend to be housed in factories and warehouses away from shopper areas, and technology-based or agricultural firms, while present, don’t dominate storefront real estate. So the statement that service-based businesses now account for more than half of retail space best reflects current patterns.