Location is a serious thing in NYC for vendors. If someone moves within 10 feet of you, imagine your daily revenue cut in half.
Sometimes vendors will informally buy locations from other vendors.
Sometimes vendors will informally buy locations from other vendors.
For example, on a beach, you should expect 2 ice cream vendors to cluster in the exact middle rather than move closer to their respective territories. This video explains it perfectly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jILgxeNBK_8