I think GP's explanation is compatible with "Products like this exist where mandated".

Even if the producer expects absolutely zero return customers (and therefore no recurring revenue), having the more durable product be more expensive, and durability being hard to advertise, means there's a race to the bottom where the more durable product is competed out of existence.

If everybody is forced to make the durable product, the race to the bottom disappears.

(Alternatively, having better packaging regulations that make it easier to identify long-lasting products would also help)