1. Factory outlet stores, operated by manufacturers, are usually located miles from downtown and regional shopping centers so as not directly to be competitive against department stores in the same trading area.

(A) so as not directly to be competitive against

(B) in order for them not to have direct competition with

(C) so that they do not compete directly with

(D) in order that they are not directly competitive against（C）

(E) for the purpose of not competing directly with

选项C里面的they是不是指代不清？请指教，谢谢。

没有，看看against后面的比较对象，就可以知道they指的是 Factory outlet stores了