> They get replaced by larger chains with big economies of scale that can absorb those costs. Why are the larger chains better able to absorb the costs? Don't

> They get replaced by larger chains with big economies of scale that can absorb those costs. Why are the larger chains better able to absorb the costs? Don't they still have the same rent and labor costs? Besides, smaller towns seem to suffer from chains just as much in my experience. It feels like a particular problem in the US, though Europe has too many chains for my liking as well. I wonder what laws/regulations are part of this problem, and how they might be changed if we want more independent shops.