FTC challenges ISP's practices

Grocery Headquarters, August, 2003 by David Litwak

THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION HAS ORDERED THE INSTITUTE OF STORE PLANNERS (ISP) TO CHANGE ITS POLICIES AND PRACTICES TO ALLOW FOR MORE COMPETITION. IN APRIL, THE COMMISSION ISSUED A CONSENT DECREE THAT ORDERED THE ISP TO REMOVE WHAT IT CALLED, "COMPETITION-SQUASHING" POLICIES, IN ITS BYLAWS AND OTHER AREAS.

THE ISP IS A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION, WHOSE 1,000 MEMBERS INCLUDE STORE PLANNERS, ARCHITECTS, GRAPHIC DESIGNERS, LIGHTING CONSULTANTS AND FIXTURE COMPANIES, THIS DECISION IS ONE OF THE FIRST EXAMPLES OF THE FTC TAKING ACTION AGAINST A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION TO PROMOTE COMPETITIVENESS, AND OBSERVERS BELIEVE THAT THIS MAY SIGNAL THE START OF A NEW ERA OF INCREASED OVERSIGHT OVER SUCH ORGANIZATIONS BY THE COMMISSION, ACCORDING TO THE FTC BUREAU OF COMPETITION...