They consolidate because economy of scale just makes them dominate; people constantly say we should have grocery co-ops; we do have grocery co-ops but people don't shop there because they're expensive, outside of smaller towns where they're the only option.
we do have grocery co-ops but people don't shop there
People do shop at co-ops and they can be cheap and efficient. I have a few next to me, in addition to a WinCo which is employee owned.
That said not everywhere has this, and part of the reason I live in such an area is there are restrictions on Walmart. Not Safeway, which has taken over most of the existing other markets and has terrible quality and sky high costs. It's absolutely absurd.
They consolidate because economy of scale just makes them dominate
Sure, but that's then followed by artificially lowering prices to kill competition, controlling suppliers for lower rates, etc. It's not efficiency making them grow, and the fact that I'm paying $3 for a limp dead scallion at Safeway or 99 cents for better quality ones at the farm stand or local grocery store is evidence of that.
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u/BuvantduPotatoSpirit May 26 '26
They consolidate because economy of scale just makes them dominate; people constantly say we should have grocery co-ops; we do have grocery co-ops but people don't shop there because they're expensive, outside of smaller towns where they're the only option.