"We are better off when STORES can set pricing, not manufacturers." As fatuous statements go that takes some beating... all stores are of course altruistic with the best needs of their customers paramount...
Consumers may benefit from cheaper prices but lose out on choice every time... supermarkets drive out small local shops, book chains destroy independent book stores and it's all done for altruistic reasons
not to get rid of competition by using loss leading selling to ensure small outlets can't compete... we now have cheap food (but factory farming), cheap bestsellers (but a loss of expertise and sellers interested in their stock) and these are all benefits to us all...
