Staples Goes in for the Kill

While everyone is paying attention to a potential Comcast/Time Warner Cable merger, the proposed Staples/Office Depot alliance is deeply troubling to many. Already the biggest office supply dealer, Staples now wants to envelop the #2 spot (Office Depot). The argument for the union stems from the fact that Amazon and other online mega-stores pose significant threat to traditional brick and mortar stationers. On the other hand, giving Staples more power will potentially hurt smaller dealers already feeling the effects of major competitors. While Staples is hardly just a brick and mortar franchise anymore as they are right under Amazon in terms of online market share, Amazon still holds an impressive lead over its competitors. What is your opinion? Should the big office superstores be allowed to keep growing until there is no one left to oppose them or should free enterprise stand without challenge?