A Grocery Oligopoly is Starving Americans

Four giant corporations control the American grocery market. They're posting record profits. Food insecurity and inflation are soaring. It's not a coincidence.

The American Grocery Market is an Oligopoly

• An oligopoly is a market that is dominated by just a few sellers.
• WalMart, Costco, Kroger, and Albertsons control 69% of the American grocery market. They are an oligopoly.
• These companies stocks are trading at record highs and recording record profitability.

Food Inflation is Ripping: 23% Increase In The Last 5 years

• The grocery oligopoly’s profits show up in the form of inflation.
• The industry has sought further consolidation, with Albertsons recently trying to buy Kroger
• Without regulation, anti-trust action, or consumer boycotts, the situation seems ripe to worsen.

American Food Insecurity and Hunger is Surging

In a very real way, a small number of people are starving millions of Americans, disproporationately children and the elderly, in order to increase profits at an already very profitable business.

What can you do?

• Join our May 1 strike for higher wages and justice. America has broken giant monopolies before, and we can do it again!
• On a very practical level, preparing for strike action will also generally lead to lower food bills in your household. Start breaking your reliance on the system that just sees you as a financial commodity, and watch your living standards and happiness rise.
• Shop at local farmer’s markets. Bonus points for using cash.

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Sources:

• ftc.gov/reports/feeding-america-time-crisis-ftc-staff-report-united-states-grocery-supply-chain-covid-19-pandemic
• loupolitical.org/2024/04/25/the-grocery-oligopoly-are-you-in-good-hands/
• foodandwaterwatch.org/2024/03/26/high-food-prices-consolidation/
• archive.ph/bRsbS