{"content":{"sharePage":{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"47753736","dateCreated":"1323278682","smartDate":"Dec 7, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"aeroederer","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/aeroederer","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1318295145\/aeroederer-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/mbaeconfall2011.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/47753736"},"dateDigested":1532762639,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Well Done!","description":"I love the way you've kept your entries separate, but they read very well together! I also have never, and would have never thought, that between baby foods, there are really only two suppliers! Great Job!","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"47506152","dateCreated":"1322949948","smartDate":"Dec 3, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"rakay","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/rakay","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/mbaeconfall2011.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/47506152"},"dateDigested":1532762639,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Finish Line Acquires 18 Running Company Stores","description":"http:\/\/www.ibj.com\/finish-line-acquires-18store-chain-for-85m\/PARAMS\/article\/29270<\/a>
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\nIndianapolis based Finish Line Inc recently acquired 18 stores that operate under the "Running Company" brand. Finish Line bought the company in a strategic move for growth outside of their core business. They are using this move to enter the specialty running business and plan to develop the line's first e-commerce opportunities.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"47138326","dateCreated":"1322552426","smartDate":"Nov 28, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"acrice","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/acrice","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1322505451\/acrice-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/mbaeconfall2011.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/47138326"},"dateDigested":1532762639,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"not a merger but certainly interesting","description":"not a merger but certainly interesting
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\nhttp:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/sallypipes\/2011\/11\/28\/wal-marts-entrance-into-health-care-is-great-news-for-american-consumers\/<\/a>","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"46166454","dateCreated":"1321140820","smartDate":"Nov 12, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"RWentink","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/RWentink","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/mbaeconfall2011.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/46166454"},"dateDigested":1532762639,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Judge halts H&R Block's TaxACT deal","description":"From USA Today's Money section on Friday, November 11:
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\nA judge stopped H&R Block's plans to acquirethe creator of TaxACT software because it would cut competition in the do-it-yourself tax market. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell agreed with the Obama administration that the deal violates antitrust laws. She said if the deal went through, H&R Block and Intuit, maker of TurboTax, would control more than 90% of the market.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"43937880","dateCreated":"1318213584","smartDate":"Oct 9, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"acrice","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/acrice","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1322505451\/acrice-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/mbaeconfall2011.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/43937880"},"dateDigested":1532762639,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"#5","description":"5. How could the merger be harmful to consumers?
\n\u2022 With only two firms, there would be an incentive to coordinate pricing and products to achieve higher than competitive returns. By restricting output and raising prices, the two remaining competitors could potentially keep prices above competitive levels. The high barriers to entry could keep out any competitors that would view this market as an opportunity.
\n\u2022 If collusion, either overt or tacit, were to be suspected, it would be difficult to bring the market back to a competitive state. Once the merger is allowed, it is difficult to force divestiture and bring additional competitors to the market.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"43937682","dateCreated":"1318213331","smartDate":"Oct 9, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"acrice","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/acrice","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1322505451\/acrice-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/mbaeconfall2011.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/43937682"},"dateDigested":1532762639,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"#6","description":"5. How could the merger be harmful to consumers?
\n\u2022 With only two firms, there would be an incentive to coordinate pricing and products to achieve higher than competitive returns. By restricting output and raising prices, the two remaining competitors could potentially keep prices above competitive levels. The high barriers to entry could keep out any competitors that would view this market as an opportunity.
\n\u2022 If collusion, either overt or tacit, were to be suspected, it would be difficult to bring the market back to a competitive state. Once the merger is allowed, it is difficult to force divestiture and bring additional competitors to the market.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"43937666","dateCreated":"1318213294","smartDate":"Oct 9, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"acrice","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/acrice","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1322505451\/acrice-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/mbaeconfall2011.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/43937666"},"dateDigested":1532762639,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"#4","description":"4. What efficiencies are likely to be gained by Heinz and Beech-Nut through the merger? Is a merger necessary to develop these efficiencies?
\n\u2022 Heinz cites the superior recipes that Beech-Nut has as a primary benefit of the merger. Also the distribution network that Heinz has is superior to that of Beech-Nut.
\n\u2022 Heinz and Beech-Nut would probably reduce production costs by consolidating facilities, as well as reduce administrative expenses.
\n\u2022 Heinz and Beech-Nut also state that the development and launching of new products would be more cost effective through the merger. Since the combined entity would have access to more supermarkets, a new product could get wider placement and have the potential to make a greater return.
\n\u2022 Both companies could probably improve without the merger. The development of new recipes is not likely to be cost prohibitive. And the fact that Heinz has a strong distribution network is evidence that smaller firms can develop good distribution without a merger.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"43937648","dateCreated":"1318213265","smartDate":"Oct 9, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"acrice","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/acrice","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1322505451\/acrice-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/mbaeconfall2011.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/43937648"},"dateDigested":1532762639,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"#3","description":"3. Are the barriers to entry high or low for this market? What are they?
\n\u2022 The case states that the barriers to entry are high, and that no new competitor has entered the market for decades.
\n\u2022 Greatest barrier to entry is the ability to get placement on supermarket shelves. Supermarkets will be unlikely to carry a new brand without strong incentives.
\n\u2022 Other barriers likely include the development of a trusted brand, building of facilities, development of recipes, and creation of distribution channels.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"43937640","dateCreated":"1318213240","smartDate":"Oct 9, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"acrice","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/acrice","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1322505451\/acrice-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/mbaeconfall2011.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/43937640"},"dateDigested":1532762639,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"#2","description":"2. How do Heinz and Beech-Nut compete with one another?
\n\u2022 Most grocery stores only carry one or two brands of baby food and Gerber is dominant, Heinz and Beech-Nut compete to be the second brand on stores' shelves.
\n\u2022 Very few grocery stores carry both Heinz and Beech-Nut, so they do not necessarily compete at the retail level.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"43937604","dateCreated":"1318213193","smartDate":"Oct 9, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"acrice","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/acrice","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1322505451\/acrice-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/mbaeconfall2011.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/43937604"},"dateDigested":1532762639,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"#1","description":"1. Who are the competitors in the jarred baby food market? What market share do they have? Is this industry concentrated?
\n\u2022 There are three primary competitors: Gerber, Heinz, and Beech-Nut. Gerber has market share around 65%, while Heinz has 17%, and Beech-Nut has 15%.
\n\u2022 With only three firms having almost 98% market share, this industry is very concentrated. The HHI is 4775 prior to the proposed merger.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]}],"more":true},"comments":[]},"http":{"code":200,"status":"OK"},"redirectUrl":null,"javascript":null,"notices":{"warning":[],"error":[],"info":[],"success":[]}}