I have been looking for a tripod lawn sprinkler to replace a broken one. But everywhere I have been today has a great big corner of Hoselock fittings and bits but no other makes of watering systems on their premises.
Have Hoselock done a deal with all these people and let them have their expensive stuff and a big showcase on condition they do not have any other watering equipment in their stores. It smells funny to me.
The answer is probably yes. Some stores sell floor space and its the biggest payer gets the space.
That's a yes from me too. Went looking for parts for a well known brand of electrical fittings only to find a 'New Name on-the-shelves' and no sign of the name 90% of people recognise as 'The name' in this market.
Same goes for many other items these days.
In a similar manner, how suprising it is to see such a speedy change in manufacturing. Not that long ago it was possible to replace broken parts....these days you have to smash the item just to get into it....Bl**dy frustrating when you know you can fix it...if you could only get into it...! >:(