>>9971498Sears probably did it first, since at least the 60s, if not sooner.
Walmart abused the fuck out of it though. For a time, you could only get 3.75" Star Wars figures at Walmart. An entire line, because Walmart ordered more products, not just for 3.75 but 1:12 scale too.
BTW, Sears was another giant who used to be able to throw their weight around to fuck over other retailers. Obviously, shit wasn't as bad back then and the market was still large and varied.
Walmart strangled competition far more efficiently than Sears and other conditions (death of main street/rise of malls) lead to the narrowing of the market(s).
