The Robinson-Patman Act primarily addresses which of the following issues?

The Robinson-Patman Act primarily addresses price discrimination in the context of sales and marketing practices. Enacted in 1936, this federal law aims to protect small and independent businesses from unfair pricing strategies employed by larger corporations. It prohibits sellers from charging different prices to different buyers for the same goods when such discrimination may harm competition. The act is designed to ensure that all buyers receive fair treatment and that competition remains intact in the marketplace.

In the context of the act, price discrimination can manifest in various forms, such as offering discounts or concessions to certain retailers while excluding others. This could lead to an unfair competitive advantage and reduce market competition, thereby harming smaller businesses. By focusing on maintaining equitable pricing practices, the Robinson-Patman Act plays a significant role in regulating how businesses set and communicate their pricing strategies.

The other choices address different aspects of business operations: product quality standards pertain to manufacturing and consumer safety; advertising regulations cover truthful and non-deceptive marketing practices; and sales territory restrictions relate to the allocation of areas for sales representatives, which does not fall under the purview of the Robinson-Patman Act.