Final answer:
The sales patterns of retail companies are primarily influenced by consumer demand, which drives the market prices according to the Law of Demand. Other factors such as competitor pricing, economic conditions, and marketing also affect sales but to a lesser extent.
Step-by-step explanation:
Retail companies like Target and The Limited exhibit sales patterns that are mostly influenced by consumer demand. This is because the supply and demand dynamics primarily determine the prices in the market. Consumer demand is the strongest influence since it directly affects how much of a product will be sold at different prices, as stated by the Law of Demand.
While other factors such as competitor pricing, economic conditions, and marketing strategies do influence sales patterns, it is the consumers' willingness to purchase goods that prompts companies to supply products. Factors that can cause a shift in the demand curve include changes in consumer preferences, income levels, prices of related goods, and consumer expectations, among others.
Moreover, the interplay between supply and demand affects how many goods are produced and at what cost, which in turn influences wages and the prices charged to consumers. Consequently, a high demand for goods paired with limited supply can drive prices higher, which attracts more suppliers to the market.