In turn, the store would have to pay that Hour to a local supplier or an employee.

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The new Indian locations could capitalize on their proximity to over 100 supplier factories in the country, an advantage that could potentially allow for easier adaptation to local demands for trends, too.

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In turn, customers know that the shop must then buy its stock from a local supplier, or pay a 3% fee to convert the Bristol Pound back into sterling.

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Although finding no evidence of illegality, Wood reported that single market rules were being interpreted in ways that favored local companies, such as in contract requirements shaped to suit a given, national supplier, or by false competition where international bids are invited when there is little intention of awarding a contract to a non-national firm.

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She added that the supplier and the local authority were based in the same area, but declined to say where.

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