“This idea is most likely but-a-dream, because Waterstones/Barnes&Noble (two brands, one company) currently have a period of exclusivity in which to negotiate a deal.”—probably this should be indicated a bit more prominently.
That logic won’t necessarily save you from the regulators—the FTC filed to block Staples and Office Depot from merging on antitrust grounds, even while both were in the process of being out-competed by Amazon and considered by many to be heading to bankruptcy in the long run.
“This idea is most likely but-a-dream, because Waterstones/Barnes&Noble (two brands, one company) currently have a period of exclusivity in which to negotiate a deal.”—probably this should be indicated a bit more prominently.
Added a note just below the epistemic status.
Though making clear you’d bid would likely change that deal.
If there aren’t significant competition issues caused by any of those acquisitions...
It’s hard for a company to be a monopoly at the same time as its sector is competed out of existence.
That logic won’t necessarily save you from the regulators—the FTC filed to block Staples and Office Depot from merging on antitrust grounds, even while both were in the process of being out-competed by Amazon and considered by many to be heading to bankruptcy in the long run.
Wow, sad...