Dover Sporting Goods Store occupies an unimpressive retail location in a small city in northern Illinois. Started in 1935, it is now operated by Duane Dover-a third-generation member of the founding family. He works long hours trying to earn a reasonable profit in the old downtown area.
Dover's immediate concern is an announcement that Wal-Mart is considering opening a store at the southern edge of town. As Dover reacts to this announcement, he is overwhelmed by a sense of injustice. Why should a family business that has served the community honestly and well for 60 years have to fend off a large corporation that would take big profits out of the community and give very little in return? Surely, he reasons, the law must offer some kind of protection against big business predators of this kind. Dover also wonders whether small stores such as his have ever been successful in competing against business giants like Wal-Mart.
Question 1: Is Dover's feeling of unfairness justified? Is his business entitled to some type of legal protection against moves of this type?
Question 2: How should Dover plan to compete against Wal-Mart, if and when this becomes necessary?