You were recently promoted to assistant manager at Food Lion, a well$-$known grocery store chain in the Retail industry. Your boss wants you to apply the PESTEL framework to evaluate the general environment. As you begin to examine trends in society that directly impact the environment of the retail industry, you research the current COVID$-19$ trends. You take note of the fact that competitors like Kroger and Walmart are combatting the COVID$-19$ pandemic with online shopping and curbside delivery options. You are considering proposing to your boss that Food Lion adjust their strategy to provide this opportunity as well. When thinking of all six segments of the PESTEL framework, which segment or factor BEST explains the online shopping factor that your competitors are using?

A$.$ This is an economic factor, as the decline of the economy due to the COVID$-19$ pandemic is essentially forcing retail companies to have to provide online shopping and pick$-$up$.$

B$.$ This is a technological factor, as online shopping$/$pick$-$up is considered an advancement in the service industry delivery.

C$.$ This is a socio$-$cultural factor, as the current cultural trends today have switched $$ total preference for online shopping$/$pick$-$up as opposed to shopping in person.

D$.$ This is a legal factor, as laws have been put into place requiring all retail chains to have online shopping$/$pick$-$up for health and safety reasons.