cannibalizing
n.— «More worryingly, the conglomerate is continuing its use of a business practice known as “cannibalising,” whereby new stores are opened in close proximity to existing branches. The intention of this is that sister stores will compete with and feed on one another before achieving total domination. Needless to say, in the face of such aggressive strategy, independent stores are forced out.» —“Starbucks and the British high street” by Anna van Praugh Telegraph (United Kingdom) June 15, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
The words tough, through, and dough all end in O-U-G-H. So why don’t they rhyme? A lively new book addresses the many quirks of English by explaining the history of words and phrases. And: have you ever been in a situation where a group makes...
Suppose you take off your sandals and then carry them while holding the straps in your hand. In that case, is it correct to call those straps handles? Phil in Omaha, Nebraska, has a longstanding dispute with a friend over that question. You might...
My vague recollection is that the term was used in precisely this sense, including the Starbucks example, by Naomi Klein in “No Logo”. Please forgive me if I’m mistaken.