or brokers
but yes we have three stores locally here (I'm in canada) that sell puppies. they are all in malls and say it's the only way they can bring in enough money for that kind of rent (to be in a big mall). They FINALLY passed regulations here banning the sell of dogs for profit in pet stores but there is a 5 year phasing out period for the three current stores. City Council barely passed it, they were really pro small business (never mind that there are MANY wonderful amazing locally owner pet stores that DO NOT SELL PUPPIES that have zero issues "getting by"). Many locally were firm that the owners were good people that got their dogs from nice breeders locally or from people who had oops litters they couldn't sell (ok so you want to pay 1500 for an "oops" litter puppy?).
The puppies were mostly mixes. more smaller mixes. lots of "oodles" and other (some I hadn't even really hard of often) for $1000-1500