Chapters 6-8 Summary and Analysis

These three chapters focus on the reduction of choice for consumers, who fail to realize the consolidation of the "...entertainment, media, food and retail industries.."(p. 129), because there are so many choices available. Buyouts and mergers, however, coupled with one entity operating under several brand names, actually constrict choice. Further, large corporations have so consumed public space that their power has virtually controlled what we see, read, and purchase. They became powerful through the use of three strategies: "Price wars" have forced the small independent owner out of business. When Wal-Mart buys in bulk, it can beat any competitor's price. "Clustering" is the activity of branded chains to saturate a metropolitan area with strategic placement of stores (e.g., Gap, Starbucks). "Selection versus Choice" is a strategy by which consumers believe they have choices simply because of the wide...