lifestyle

Proof: 10 companies own pretty much everything you buy.

Most of the time, it seems like there is an overwhelming amount of choice out there in the world.

Full cream, skim or soy milk in your coffee? Your friend recommended a new shampoo, but you have your favourite – should you switch? Should you buy a sugary cereal in the supermarket as a special treat for the kids, or stick to weet-bix? And what’s your partner’s favourite brand of choc-chip biscuits again?

A quick trip down to the supermarket can leave you hyperventilating in the middle of the frozen foods aisle, wishing that there was only one option.

As it turns out, that’s kind of already the case.

A user on Reddit posted the below infographic, which illustrates how 10 huge corporations own almost everything you are likely to buy from a supermarket or shopping mall.

We’re really not sure if that trip to the supermarket seems less or more overwhelming now…

What do you think?

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Top Comments

andyem 10 years ago

Natures Organics who produce Earth Choice and Organic Care are a totally independent family owned Australian business :)


Katrina 10 years ago

If you check most labels that information is clearly displayed. Half the shampoo you buy will have P&G written on it and a lot of things that look like they're competition are actually owned by the same company. If you didn't know this, you're not a very savvy shopper.

You can always buy from the lesser known brands but do realise that many of these brands also originally occurred as their own independent brands. They're where they are today because they are popular, produce goods that people either enjoy consuming or provide good results (shampoos, razors etc).