I don't know that this has ever really been the case. Particularly with mature product categories. And most especially for product categories with high barriers

I don't know that this has ever really been the case. Particularly with mature product categories. And most especially for product categories with high barriers to entry in the form of large capital requirements. It was one thing to be able to go to the local candy shop for a chocolate bar if you didn't want a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, but something else if you wanted a television set. Are you thinking of an example where that once was true but has changed? I'm open to examples but can't myself think of any that are analogous.