Based on the innovative use of alternative data for forecasting in the investment industry, as illustrated by various companies analyzing satellite imagery, social media, and other sources, what additional type of data might assist retailers in making early predictions of sales, not explicitly mentioned in the case?

A$)$

Weather forecasts and climate data to anticipate changes in consumer buying behavior related to seasonal and weather$-$related products

B$)$

Global commodity prices to predict the cost of goods sold without considering its direct impact on retail pricing strategies

C$)$

Public transportation usage data in the vicinity of retail locations to gauge potential customer foot traffic and shopping trends

D$)$

Traditional financial statements from competitors to analyze market share and financial health

E$)$

Historical sales data only from the same retailer to maintain focus on internal performance metrics