Business and Economics at SHSK

A2 Economics  -  Excellent article  for Competition regulation

When did comparison sites start working against competition?
http://www.bestadvice.co.uk/when-did-comparison-sites-start-working-against-competition/

There is a high degree of market concentration.  For example, Confused.com is owned by Admiral Insurance, who also own Elephant, Bell Direct and Diamond.  Gocompare.com is independently owned, but had a loan of £30m from Esure who own 50% of GoCompare holdings. Comparethemarket.com is owned by Budget Insurance, who also own Dial Direct, Quote Mart and Junction, who in turn run the insurance arms of The Post Office, M & S, Debenhams, Homebase and yesinsurance.com.  Tescocompare.com is a joint venture with RBS, who also own or have a significant interest in, Direct Line, Churchill, and Privilege. Doesn’t sound very independent does it?  And with that market concentration comes leverage.

Also read


Google faces European competition inquiry http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8533551.stm