The backers of Fair Trade pricing, who have been fighting a losing battle against discount houses, last week were dealt one of the hardest blows of all. General Electric Co., the biggest U.S. appliance manufacturer, abandoned "suggested" list prices for major appliances (e.g., dishwashers, ranges, air conditioners, etc.), "to meet highly volatile and competitive conditions."
G.E. admitted that it was merely recognizing the fact that almost nobody buys at list price any longer. From now on, G.E.'s 60 distributors may recommend (but not enforce) the retail prices to be charged in their...
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