Final answer:
Unemployment in the area where the manufacturing plant is located is not part of a consumer product manufacturer's external economic environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is D. Unemployment in the area where the manufacturing plant is located.
The external economic environment of a consumer products manufacturer refers to the external factors that can affect the company's operation and profitability.
This includes factors such as the existing channels of distribution in the industry, the number of companies competing in that industry, society's beliefs about savings and spending, and nationwide inflation.
However, unemployment in the area where the manufacturing plant is located is not considered part of the external economic environment, as it primarily pertains to the local labor market.