Peerless Packing Co. v. Malone & Hyde, Inc.

NEELY, Justice:

Appellants are twelve companies that supply wholesale products to grocery stores. Appellee is also a wholesaler of grocery products, with operations covering the southeastern states. John Kizer was appellee’s co-defendant below. This is an appeal from the trial court’s award of a directed verdict for appellee.

Mr. Kizer managed the A & P store in Beckley. When A & P substantially withdrew its operations from the state in 1982, Mr. Kizer decided to take over the store. He learned that appellee had acquired the lease and store equipment of the former A & P and negotiated an…