Posts tagged “Consumer Education”

When a brand is acquired, does the product get better, worse, or stay the same? The evidence from hundreds of acquisitions shows it depends heavily on the acquirer's strategy and the category.

Research shows most consumers are unaware of brand ownership. But when they find out, it changes behaviour in measurable ways. Here is what the evidence says about ownership and purchasing decisions.

Innocent Drinks was acquired by Coca-Cola. Cadbury is now Mondelez. Vegemite moved from Kraft to Bega Cheese. Local and regional brands are routinely acquired by global corporations while their local identity is preserved.

Store brands now represent over 20% of US grocery sales. Many are made in the same factories as the name brands they sit next to. Here is what the evidence says about quality, ingredients, and who makes what.

Burt's Bees is owned by Clorox. Honest Tea was owned by Coca-Cola. Annie's is owned by General Mills. Most organic and natural brands are now subsidiaries of major corporations. Here is what that actually means.

That 'small batch' coffee or 'indie' beauty brand might be owned by a multinational. Here are the practical methods anyone can use to find out who actually owns a brand.

Many brands market themselves as American-made. But what does that actually mean when the parent company is foreign, the parts come from overseas, and 'assembled in USA' is not the same as 'made in USA'?

The baby products industry is dominated by a few corporate giants. From diapers to formula to baby food, here is who owns the brands that care for your children.

Auto insurance is a $350 billion industry with some surprising corporate parents. Warren Buffett owns GEICO. A mutual company owns State Farm. Here is who owns every major insurer.

Bottled water is a $350 billion global industry. But just a few companies control most of it. Here is who owns every major water brand from Evian to Fiji to Dasani.

Your favorite brand just got bought by a corporation. Should you panic? Here is what typically changes (and what does not) when brands change hands, based on dozens of real examples.

The supplement industry is worth $60+ billion but most brands are owned by pharma giants and food conglomerates. Here is who owns every major vitamin and supplement brand.

That organic shampoo, natural deodorant, or clean beauty product might be owned by a multinational conglomerate. Here is who really owns the 'natural' brands on your shelf.

You love the brand. But do you know who owns it? And should you care? Here is why brand ownership matters more than you think, from pricing to ethics to product quality.

During the holidays, you buy gifts from dozens of brands. But most of your spending goes to the same few corporations. Here is the corporate reality behind holiday gift giving.

Tide vs Gain. Dove vs Axe. Budweiser vs Stella. Many rival brands share a parent company. Learn why corporations pit their own brands against each other.

Black Friday deals come from hundreds of brands, but most are owned by the same handful of corporations. Here is the parent company behind every major Black Friday brand.

Many brands that look independent are owned by massive corporations. Learn how to identify truly independent brands and why ownership matters.

What is the difference between a parent company, a subsidiary, a holding company, and a brand? This guide breaks down corporate ownership structures in plain language.

Want to know who really profits from your purchases? Here are 7 practical methods to research brand ownership, from free tools to SEC filings.

That cheaper store brand might be made in the same factory as the name brand next to it. Learn how private-label manufacturing works and who really makes what.

That grocery aisle with 50 options? Most are owned by 2-3 companies. Learn how category consolidation creates the appearance of variety while limiting true competition.