A Kmart chain store

A Wal-Mart chain store

The displacement of independent businesses by chains has generated controversy in many countries, and has sparked increased collaboration among independent businesses and communities to prevent chain proliferation. Such efforts occur within national trade groups such as the American Booksellers Association^[1] and Council of Independent Restaurants of America, as well as community-based coalitions such as Independent Business Alliances. National entities such as the American Independent Business Alliance and The New Rules Project promote these efforts in the U.S.^[2] In Britain, the New Economics Foundation promotes community-based economics and independent ownership.^[3]

In 2004, the world's largest retail chain, Wal-Mart, became the world's largest corporation based on gross sales.

Restaurant chains

A Cracker Barrel chain restaurant.

The proliferation of chain restaurants (and other chain businesses) is becoming an increasingly controversial trend worldwide. In the U.S., opponents of this trend include the American Independent Business Alliance, the New Rules Project, and the Council of Independent Restaurant Associations.

See also

• List of bookstore chains
• List of restaurant chains
• List of supermarkets

References

de:Handelskette (Unternehmen) fa:???????? ????????? fr:Chaîne de magasins ko:???? he:??? ????? mk:????? ?? ?????????? nl:Winkelketen ja:??????? simple:Chain store fi:Kauppaketju sv:Butikskedja zh:???