Originally posted by unclebutcher:
As supply is high and competition is keen, this is almost like Perfect competition. All supermarkets know each other's price and will change theirs accordingly. Consumers have a wide variety as their goods are homogeneous. This consumers will buy from the supermarket that hasthe cheapest good. however, some consumers will continue to buy from a more expensive supermarket if they have brand loyalty.
when sheng shiong and ntuc are nearby, it suits the consumer as it gives him more choices and cheaper prices.
Where got PC?
Sorry guys if you want to avoid reading Econs lecture-esque stuffs please scroll down thx.
PC's characteristics are many buyers, many sellers, homogeneous product and no barrier to entry.
Opening a supermarket involves a huge amount of capital outlay to achieve the necessary economies of scale that makes the business profitable. Sheng Shiong's competitiveness partly comes from its preference to buy in bulk and pay in cash.
I would say that the market structure of supermarkets in Singapore is somewhat like an oligopoly with many numerous small players that can't effectively affect the market.
Besides, the unwillingness to change prices is due to price rigidity as a result of the kinked demand curve of a competitive oligopoly.
Sorry for the boliao answer.
I still like Sheng Shiong though. Saw them grow from a small humble shop in Ang Mo Kio to where they are today.