difficult to raise prices
companies can charge whatever price they like
large number of businesses
differentiating products is important
each business has a small share of the market
businesses can influence prices
consumers have more control over the market
barriers make entry into business very difficult
large of number of independent businesses
small number of businesses that gain a majority of sales revenue
hard to enter the market
goods are similar and are close substitutes
prices are determined competitively
many well-informed buyers
only one provider of good or service
