Merchandisers reported mild profits in their December business, as much because of their top line revenue of a year earlier being so weak as that customers were gaining a new beginning on purchasing their Christmas present.

(A) of their top line revenue of a year earlier being so weak as that
(B) of their top line revenue of a year earlier having been as weak as because
(C) of their a top line revenue of the year before being as weak as because
(D) their top line revenue a year before had been so weak as because
(E) of their top line revenue of the year before were as weak as that