Bloomingdale’s, a department store that traditionally has so…
Bloomingdale’s, a department store that traditionally has sold a broad range of clothing including men’s and women’s dresswear, casual clothing, shoes, outerwear, and sports clothing, has agreed to acquire Nordstrom, a department store offering a similar mix of merchandise. The FTC believes the relevant product market should be defined as the sale of merchandise in department stores. Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom argue the relevant product market should be broader and include outlet stores and specialty retail stores that sell particular types of clothing such as shoes or athletic wear. Which of the following statements, if true, BEST supports the FTC’s conclusion that department stores constitute a distinct relevant market?