The very fact that the seller must offer a discount shows "the tie is imposing some kind of burden on buyers, " Elhauge says, either by reducing access to competing products or eliminating competitors that would drive prices lower.

FORBES: Hillenbrand Tosses In Its Sleep

"A large and growing number of Apple customers have challenged the company to be an environmental leader, whether that be by rejoining EPEAT, eliminating toxic chemicals from its products, or powering its iCloud with renewable energy, " the group said in a statement e-mailed to CNN.

CNN: Apple: No wait, we're green again

Among those: eliminating polyvinyl chloride and brominated flame retardants from all its products by 2009, and removing mercury and arsenic from its products' displays.

WSJ: How Green Is Apple?

Wal-Mart is making well-deserved headlines today with its announcement, at a press conference joined by First Lady Michelle Obama, that it is committed to lowering sodium content by 25% and sugar by 10%, and eliminating many trans-fats completely, in its food products by 2015.

FORBES: Wal-Mart Leads the Way on Obesity--in Both Directions

Moreover, the retailer ships its products from both, the stores and the fulfillment centers thus eliminating inventory issues, and maintaining delivering quality and efficiency.

FORBES: Urban Outfitters Rings In Holiday Web Sales With Festive Offerings, Edgy Catalogs

Mr Rose's new management team has already started to edit the products on offer, adding some new ones to plug the gaps but eliminating many more.

ECONOMIST: Has Stuart Rose seen the future of retailing?