Preview

Microeconomics Essay

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
946 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Microeconomics Essay
Microeconomics Essay

The supermarket industry in the UK could be described as an Oligopoly Market. Based on your research into supermarkets in the UK, discuss whether this market structure creates a situation that is more or less to the benefit of consumers. For many students studying abroad, they will go to supermarkets every week. The Supermarkets in the United Kingdom sell many different kinds of products and it is easy to find a large supermarket everywhere. There are four big and famous supermarkets in UK, Tesco, Safeway/Morrison, J Sainsbury's and Asda. (Wikipedia, 2009a) These four supermarkets have the largest market share in UK so that it makes the supermarket industry in the UK could be expressed an oligopoly Market. (Wikipedia, 2009a)When it is dominated by a few large companies; a big percentage of the market is shared by these companies; there may or may not be perfect knowledge and high barriers to entry, an oligopoly market
…show more content…
In view of the fact that change the price will result in the total revenues, firms do not need to change prices so that the companies can fix a price as they want. It will make them earn the maximum profit in the long run.

Other advantages for the customers are international competition, innovate, economic of scale and research and development. In these four actions, oligopoly will give customers benefits which will attract more consumers.

In conclusion, there are both advantages and disadvantages of UK supermarket industries for customers. What is the most important is the price. The market structures of oligopoly market affect the price. For the government, the most important things is to prevent oligopoly market and keep the perfect competition.

Reference:

• Wikipedia (2009a) [Online], Supermarkets in the United Kingdom. Available at:

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    The supermarket industry is a mature industry and has established large players that dominate the market. Continued consolidation and a focus on organic and natural products are the major trends that dominated this industry.…

    • 290 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    MicroEconomics

    • 1566 Words
    • 7 Pages

    a. The effects of a long-term capital lease on a lease are much like that of equipment purchases using installment payment debt. This type of lease transfers all the benefits and risks to the ownership is accounted for as an asset and liability incurrence by the lessee. If a lease is classified as capitalized, both the leased asset and the lease obligation are recognized on the balance sheet.…

    • 1566 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    ECON 101 - Essay 1

    • 881 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Talbot, John M. (2004). Grounds for Agreement: The Political Economy of the Coffee Commodity Chain. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 50.…

    • 881 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Swot Task 1

    • 2025 Words
    • 9 Pages

    The industry employs a big proportion of the workforce and is connected to many other industries in the economy environment. Supermarkets are one of the key players in the grocery industry providing around 70% of the value of the retail market for food and groceries.…

    • 2025 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    econ 303 essay

    • 4769 Words
    • 22 Pages

    This is a study sheet and not an all-inclusive review. A majority of what you need to know is on here but you are also responsible for the materials covered in the readings that we did not discuss in class, as well as the films, and online articles. I suggest you study the reviews at the end of each chapter in the book, and take the practice tests. Good luck!…

    • 4769 Words
    • 22 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In this article Michael Baker discusses the livelihood of small retailers in a market subjugated by the financially dominant oligopolies, Woolworths and Coles. While the small independent retailers in direct competition with Woolworths and Coles provide some competitive respite for consumers, as they encourage competitive pricing, albeit predatory pricing, it is clear that Woolworths and Coles control the supermarket industry in Australia, in the formation of a duopoly. It is evident that Woolworths and Coles engage in predatory pricing in an attempt to eliminate independent retailers from the market. This article discusses recent efforts made by the Australian government and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to reduce predatory pricing and, thus, encourage competition in the marketplace in an attempt to relieve the financial strain that would undoubtedly be felt by consumers if the Woolworths/Coles duopoly ruled the marketplace without the presence of independent retailers.…

    • 1699 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Supermarkets power stems from their size as a corporation leading to their dominance in the marketplace. Domination is the ability to impose upon or restrict the free choice of others despite possible resistance (Allen 2009, p59). Supermarkets gain this dominance by having both a vast buying power and a large market share. In comparison to the individual retailer supermarkets have the ability to both purchase in larger quantities and therefore being able to negotiate far more favorable terms than smaller retailers. This buying power makes it very difficult for non-chain stores to compete with the prices that the supermarkets are able to offer. Market power is the ability to influence the market conditions independently of competitors, for…

    • 441 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ap Macroeconomics Essay

    • 4737 Words
    • 19 Pages

    Study Guide – Version 1.00 Created by Charles Feng I. Basic Economic Concepts Economic Goals 1. Economic growth – produce more and better goods and services 2. Full employment – suitable jobs for all citizens who are willing and able to work 3. Economic efficiency – achieve the maximum production using available resources 4. Price-level stability – avoid large fluctuations in the price level (inflation + deflation) 5. Economic freedom – businesses, workers, consumers have a high degree of freedom in economic activities 6. Equitable distribution of income – try to minimize gap between rich and poor 7. Economic security – provide for those who are not able to earn sufficient income 8. Balance of trade – try to seek a trade balance…

    • 4737 Words
    • 19 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Econ Essay

    • 434 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The first military draft in the United States was shortly after the Iraq war. This draft was started by Senator Ernest Hollings and Representative Charles Rangel. There were a lot of people for the military draft but there were also a lot of people against it. The people that were for the draft concluded that it was a good thing for the United States. They said that there was different ways that you could get out of it but why would you want to do that when you could fight for your country in their worst times of need? These people say that the people that usually volunteer for the military more than likely come from a low income household. Therefore the people that is for the draft say that it is mainly made up of people who needed shelter, food, clothing, and even a steady income.…

    • 434 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Demographics

    • 19597 Words
    • 79 Pages

    • The degree of market concentration is very high (i.e. a large % of the market is taken up by the leading firms). • Firms within an oligopoly produce branded products (advertising and marketing is an important feature of competition within such markets) • barriers to entry. • interdependence between firms. Monopoly • exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity •a lack of economic competition to produce the good or service • a lack of viable substitute goods Social and Cultural Forces • Businesses are faced with changing socio-cultural patterns, lifestyles, social values and beliefs • Changes that have significant marketing implications:…

    • 19597 Words
    • 79 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Supply and Demand Analysis Ras Jones Galen University Intermediate Microeconomics (210) Mrs. Ivanka Magana March 4th, 2013…

    • 746 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    If a business reduces price but other firms follow suit, the price change is much smaller and demand would be inelastic in respect of the price change. Cutting prices when demand is inelastic also leads to a fall in total revenue with little or no effect on market share.…

    • 568 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Monopolistic Completition

    • 787 Words
    • 4 Pages

    According to Economics Online, “the model of monopolistic competition describes a common market structure in which firms have many competitors, but each one sells a slightly different product” (Economics Online). There are many examples of monopolistic businesses and a few that were mentioned in the article were Microsoft, Sirius, XM Radio and Jostens (a company that sells high school rings). If you think about each of these companies you will realize the products they sell are different from others in the same market, but they control the market to some degree. Any of these companies are able to manipulate the prices of their product without having to worry about a decline in sales. The economy has become somewhat dependent on each of these companies and will pay the suggested price. Everything is done within reason of course, but in the end you would probably pay $500 for the newest version of Windows from Microsoft just to keep up with current times. This is a great lead in to the advantages of pricing.…

    • 787 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    economics essay

    • 1974 Words
    • 8 Pages

    I confirm that no part of this assignment. except where clearly quoted and referenced. has been copied from material belonging to any other person e.g. from a book. handout, another student. I am aware that it is a breach of UEL regulations to copy the work of another without clear acknowledgement and that attempting to do so renders me liable to disciplinary proceedings.…

    • 1974 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The first point is that the markets are generally smaller than the supermarkets about various kinds of goods, technological facilities and quantity of staffs. Supermarkets have a system of arranging products display while each stall’s display at markets depends on the owner. Supermarkets also offer ready-to-eat foods as a way to provide the customer to shop as well as eat at the same time. Supermarkets usually receive goods and merchandise in bulk from either manufacturers or large distributors and offer low prices and many deals or discounts on their products to attract consumers. Some supermarkets may also have banks, ATMs, coffee bar, juice bar and anything else that may attract customers.…

    • 392 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays