The recent spat between Unilever and Tesco enlightened a number of people.

Suddenly they became aware that so many very different products were, in fact, all owned and controlled by one big corporation.

Actually there are two major corporations that control a huge assortment of our favourite products.

The other, Proctor and Gamble, also own a vast range of household goods.

How good is this for the consumer and what other major corporate giants are out there controlling the rest of the products we buy and rely upon?

Apple, as a hi-tec company, are well known as a leading computer and mobile ‘phone supplier, but their products are easily identifiable.

Electronics are easier to identify with their corporate owners. Household goods are much more difficult to identify.

Looking at washing powders, tablets and liquids we might compare Fairy with Ariel and Bold – all three are the product of one major company – proctor and Gamble. Surf and Persil belong to Unilever.

On the surface we have choice, but that choice actually is restricted and quite tightly controlled by major corporations.

The question is – does this really represent a free market? I don’t think so.

What we have is the illusion of choice, but a reality that is a monopoly.

Many of the products may well have started as small individual companies, their success soon comes to the notice of the big corporations who then buy the rights to that product in full.

How do we challenge this? In short it’s difficult. We can seek to support our local markets, small independent retailers and manufacturers, but of course cost and time could be the things that keep us wedded to our favourites, at the mercy of the large corporations.

  • James D Williams is a lecturer in education at the University of Sussex School of Education and Social Work