A lot of higher-end brands receive records back from the wholesalers too, so they can a) have a paper trail to determine if products are counterfeit or not, and

A lot of higher-end brands receive records back from the wholesalers too, so they can a) have a paper trail to determine if products are counterfeit or not, and b) blur the distinction between "counterfeit" and "not sold through official channels" which helps prevent undercutting of the retail price.