In 1997, the
FTC (
Federal Trade Commission) found that Toys 'R' Us were
guilty of
illegally exerting
pressure on
manufacturers not to supply their
toys to other, smaller
retailers. As they are the
largest toy retailer in the world, the manufactureres duly complied, vastly
reducing comsumer choice. Just one of the many
problems caused by allowing such huge companies to exist and make themselves larger by eating other, smaller, companies.
See also
Wal-Mart.
viper281:
Comet (
British chain of
electronics retailers) was always my
mecca as a
kid. Loads of
games consoles, which my parents wouldn't buy for me (
thank god). Many a
happy afternoon was spent there.
Sigh,
those were the days :-).