A visual guide to America's concentrated, uncompetitive markets
Our New Gilded Age is defined by its oligarchic concentration of wealth and power: not just how much wealth is controlled by the 0.001%, but how many of our key markets are dominated by just a handful of players – sometimes just a single company.
In a new, visual report, the Open Markets Institute presents an easy-to-understand snapshot of market concentration in more than 30 industries, with historic data showing how the concentration has increased over time.
While digital markets are among the most concentrated, the report makes it clear that this isn’t a “new economy” phenomenon – otherwise, why would beer, a business that has its roots in ancient Egypt, be as concentrated as it is?
America’s Concentration Crisis [Open Markets Insititute]
I like the coffin and casket manufacturing example.
As the charts also illustrate, monopolistic corporations often present themselves as champions of consumer choice. But while it may appear as though there are endless brands to choose from online and on the shelf, most are owned by a few large parent companies, the array of labels a mere façade creating the illusion of abundant options.
- Adult Websites
- Baby Formula
- Beer
- Candy
- Car Rental
- Cell Phone Providers
- Cigarette & Tobacco Manufacturing
- Coffin & Casket Manufacturing
- Contact Lens Manufacturing
- Corn Seed
- Craft Stores
- Diaper Manufacturing
- Domestic Airlines
- Dry Cat Food
- E-Commerce
- Electronic Medical Records Systems
- Home Improvement Stores
- IV Solution
- Jelly
- Mattress Manufacturing
- Mayonnaise
- Meat Processing
- Mobile Home Manufacturing
- Pacemaker Manufacturing
- Peanut Butter
- Pet and Pet Supplies Stores
- Pharmacies and Drug Stores
- Search Engines
- Smartphone Operating Systems
- Social Networking Sites
- Syringe Manufacturing
- Washer & Dryer Manufacturing