Have you ever been disappointed by a product after the company you used to love was bought out by a larger corporation? It’s a common experience that many consumers face, and it’s not just limited to the food industry. In fact, it happens across many industries, from entertainment to health care. When Small Companies Sell Out, it often leads to changes in product quality, brand identity, and customer service, among other things.
When Small Companies Sell Out on Product Quality and Consumer Trust
One of the reasons why this happens is that larger companies often prioritize profit over integrity and quality. When a small business is acquired by a bigger corporation, the founder’s vision and values may not align with the new parent company. As a result, quality control may suffer, and consumers may not get the same level of quality they used to.
But at the same time, we can’t blame small business owners for wanting to sell their businesses and retire early. Owning and running a business is hard work, and it’s natural to want to reap the rewards of your labor. However, as consumers, we have the power to choose which companies we want to support based on their values and integrity.
If you’re passionate about supporting local, organic, and handmade goods, you can still do so by researching and choosing small businesses that operate with integrity and high-quality control. And if you’re concerned about a company’s acquisition, it’s important to keep up with the latest information about which large parent companies have acquired small businesses, so you can make an informed decision about whether you want to continue buying from them or not. When Small Companies Sell Out, it can be difficult to know what changes will occur and whether the products will still meet your standards.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that as consumers, we have the power to make a difference with our purchasing decisions. By choosing to support small businesses that prioritize quality and integrity, we can help shape the business landscape and make a positive impact on the world.
Here is a List of Small Health-oriented businesses who were bought out by big businesses:
The ‘Natural Company’ – Purchased by:
- Hu Chocolate – Mondelez International
- Garden of Life – Nestle
- Clorox by Burt’s Bees
- Unilever Seventh Generation
- Tom’s of Maine Colgate-Palmolive
- SC Johnson – Ecover
- P&G – Native
- This is L – P&G
- Schmidt’s Naturals – Unilever
- Nutranext – Clorox
- Clorox – RenewLife
- Cascadian Farm – General Mills
- Kashi – Kellog’s
- Boca Foods – Kraft
- Odwalla – Coca-Cola
- L’Oreal Body Shop – The Body Shop
- Pepsi Naked Juice
- Energy Brands – Coca-Cola
- Honest Tea – Coca-Cola
- General Mills: Food should taste good
- Annie’s, Inc.
- Blake’s All Natural Foods ConAgra
- Van’s Natural Foods Hillshire Brands
- Cereals from Hearthside Foods, Post Holdings
- Lara Bar – General Mills
- Bear Nakes – Kellogg’s
References:
- “About Us.” Mondelez International, Inc., www.mondelezinternational.com/About-Us.
- “Mondelez International Acquires Hu, a Well-Being Snacking Company.” Mondelez International, Inc., ir.mondelezinternational.com/news-releases/news-release-details/mondelez-international-acquires-hu-well-being-snacking-company.
- What happens to your small company after an acquisition? www.foodprocessing.com/business-of-food-beverage/mergers-acquisitions/article/11415021/what-happens-to-your-small-company-after-an-acquisition.
- “Which Corporations Control the World?” International Business Degree Guide, 11 Feb. 2014, internationalbusinessguide.org/corporations/.
- Coffey, Brendan. “The Four Companies That Control the 147 Companies That Own Everything.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 12 Oct. 2022, www.forbes.com/sites/brendancoffey/2011/10/26/the-four-companies-that-control-the-147-companies-that-own-everything/?sh=24a2a1e4685b.
- Junger, Sebastian. Tribe: Homecoming and Belonging. Twelve, 2016.
