I am currently in New Jersey where I was somewhat surprised to discover that it is not permissible to pump your own gas at a gas station. When I asked a few people why this was the case, no one knew for sure, but someone speculated that it was all about safety. Of course, New Jersey is the exception to the common rule in other states that drivers pump their own gas. This makes economic sense, since it reduces labor costs and, in theory at least, lower costs benefit the customer through lower prices. I suspect there are other reasons for the rule in New Jersey that are related to creating jobs.
That's only one example of the many local anomalies that companies deal with in getting their products to customers.
In some states, liquor is only sold through state run stores. In others, beer and wine is sold in Supermarkets, but not hard liquor. Long ago I was at a conference in Utah and in order to purchase a drink in a restaurant, the customer had to walk over to a liquor store (in the restaurant) purchase a miniature bottle, bring it back to the table and order a mixer from the waiter. The waiter was not allowed to touch the alcohol.
In Hawaii there are strict laws about billboards and other outdoor advertising. The laws have loosened upa bit, but they're still pretty strict. At one point, soda vending machines couldn't put the name "Coke" or "Pepsi" on the front panel of the machine if it was visible from the street. Currently, the city is considering whether to allow panel advertising on city buses. The opposition cites this as a "slippery slope" leading to outdoor billboards.
I doubt that there will be common rules for advertising and distribution anytime soon. In the meantime, companies have to wade through a plethora of local regulations.
That's only one example of the many local anomalies that companies deal with in getting their products to customers.
In some states, liquor is only sold through state run stores. In others, beer and wine is sold in Supermarkets, but not hard liquor. Long ago I was at a conference in Utah and in order to purchase a drink in a restaurant, the customer had to walk over to a liquor store (in the restaurant) purchase a miniature bottle, bring it back to the table and order a mixer from the waiter. The waiter was not allowed to touch the alcohol.
In Hawaii there are strict laws about billboards and other outdoor advertising. The laws have loosened upa bit, but they're still pretty strict. At one point, soda vending machines couldn't put the name "Coke" or "Pepsi" on the front panel of the machine if it was visible from the street. Currently, the city is considering whether to allow panel advertising on city buses. The opposition cites this as a "slippery slope" leading to outdoor billboards.
I doubt that there will be common rules for advertising and distribution anytime soon. In the meantime, companies have to wade through a plethora of local regulations.
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