Hundreds of independent businesses from across the country tuned into a virtual town hall – Small Businesses vs. Monopoly Power: Our Recent Wins and the Hurdles Ahead – to mark progress and build momentum to rein in monopoly power and level the playing field for small, independent businesses. Featuring Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan, the event provided a deep dive into important antimonopoly actions the agency has taken under Chair Khan’s leaders that directly impact small businesses.
Chair Khan took questions and addressed a range of concerns from independent businesses – from the ways corporate middlemen drive community pharmacists out of the market to the harms that dominant online platforms impose on the small businesses that depend on them and the unfair and illegal pricing practices that harm independent grocers and wholesalers.
The event also showcased small business leaders who are fighting back and seeing results of their advocacy. They underscored the importance of engaging with policymakers and pointed them to ways to get involved.
The recording is available on Twitter/X and YouTube or you can watch below.
TAKE ACTION: Share your story of monopoly power — whether it’s your business or hometown. As you heard from policymakers and advocates at the Town Hall, the real stories of how your business is impacted by monopoly power are essential data for policymakers and regulators to take action. SHARE YOUR STORY
— PROGRAM —
KEYNOTE
Chair Lina Khan
Chair—United States Federal Trade Commission
Washington, D.C.
In conversation with
Stacy Mitchell
Co-Executive Director—Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Portland, ME
ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS:
Thomas Barr
VP of Business Development—Local First Arizon
Tempe, AZ
Danny Caine
Board of Directors—American Booksellers Associatio
Co-Owner—The Raven Book Stor
Lawrence, KS
Aaron “AJ” Johnson
CEO—Oasis Fresh Markets
Tulsa, OK
Roger Lowe Jr.
Member—National Grocers Association
VP/CEO—Lowe’s Market
Littlefield, TX
Pooja Paode
Co-Chair—Small Business Rising
Assistant Director—Cambridge Local First
Cambridge, MA
Nicholas Parks
President—SnobFoods.com
Birmingham, AL
Reggie Rucker
Communications Director—Institute for Local Self-RelianceWashington, D.C.
Lea Wolsoncroft
President—National Community Pharmacists Association
Independent Pharmacy Owner
Alabama
Hosted by Small Business Rising Coalition Partners:
American Booksellers Association
American Independent Business Alliance
American Specialty Toy Retailing Association
Cambridge Local First
Go Local Asheville
Independent Natural Food Retailers Association
Independent Restaurant Coalition
Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Local First Arizona
Local Return
Louisville Independent Business Alliance
Love Live Local
Lowcountry Local First
Main Street Alliance
National Community Pharmacists Association
National Grocers Association
North American Hardware and Paint Association
Provender Alliance
Southeast Michigan Sustainable Business Forum
Workplace Solutions Association
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