Going-out-of-business sales, when used for purposes other than the liquidation of merchandise acquired in the usual course of business by a bona fide merchant of the City, are injurious to the peace, health and welfare of the community. When employed as an established merchandising practice, these sales cause irreperable injury to merchants not employing such devices, render uncertain the conditions of employment in retail establishments, reduce the value of public property in the community and foster destructive and unfair competition in the business community. These sales, when they are conducted as established practice, involve an unusual hazard of fraud and misrepresentation. It is the purpose of this chapter to prohibit going-out-of-business sales as established merchandising practice and to require such sales to be licensed solely to liquidate estates and businesses.
(Ord. 29-75. Passed 8-20-75.)