Traditionally it’s been a way for big businesses to bully local municipalities into giving them free security via local cops, tax incentives, etc by claiming that they’re losing so much money to shoplifters that they have no choice but to close shop unless something changes (which is always bullshit, they’re printing money). Walmart is infamous for doing this to small towns after they annihilate any local competition through lower prices from their economy of scale.
Traditionally it’s been a way for big businesses to bully local municipalities into giving them free security via local cops, tax incentives, etc by claiming that they’re losing so much money to shoplifters that they have no choice but to close shop unless something changes (which is always bullshit, they’re printing money). Walmart is infamous for doing this to small towns after they annihilate any local competition through lower prices from their economy of scale.
Funny you should bring up Walmart, because Walmart is the second biggest reason why I hate the “just start your own business” cliche.
Walmart was weaponized to make that impossible.