1. Altogether, in 2021, Amazon took in $120 billion in revenue from the fees it imposes on third-party sellers. That’s massive. For every $100 in sales a seller made in 2021, Amazon pocketed $34. That’s up from $19 in 2014.

Brace yourselves, local business reporters, for lots of "exclusives" about Amazon's positive economic impact in your towns: linkedin.com/jobs/view/2905…

In an article in the Nonprofit Quarterly about whether government funding will help build a more democratic economy, ILSR’s Kennedy Smith says that this is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fundamentally change [localities] economic development strategies.” nonprofitquarterly.org/will-coronavir…

1. Hello. Last night on Last Week Tonight, John Oliver dunked on Amazon, Google and the big tech monopolies so thoroughly, and with such ease, every corny astroturfed argument against antitrust reform should be vanquished forever. Let's look at a clip!

1. Hello. For years, the tabletop role playing game Dungeons & Dragons has become massively popular, largely because of fans developing their own content, characters and storylines. But now, monopoly power is coming to crush these user-created worlds - and its rivals. A thread.

One way to rollback concentration and build a better economy is to shift more capital to small businesses, especially Black & brown entrepreneurs. Local revolving loan funds are playing a pioneering role, thanks to capital from EDA & new approaches. governing.com/now/local-gove…

1. Hello. Dollar stores are an invasive species - multiplying out of control and suffocating local ecosystems. In a new report, we show how they harm communities, the tactics they use to crush small shops - and how policymakers can help. A big thread. cdn.ilsr.org/wp-content/upl…

As Dollar Stores Proliferate, Some Communities Say No: Stacy Mitchell Institute for Local Self-Reliance "nails it: Federal policymakers have let big corporations run amok. Cities and towns ... have learned that if you want to protect your community, you have to do it yourself." nytimes.com/2023/03/01/bus…

Find all 17 #DollarStoreProblems at the link: 6/6 ilsr.org/17-problems/

NBC Nightly News picked up on our report about dollar stores and headed to Toledo to talk to folks campaigning to block more of these stores, and expand local grocery stores instead. Watch the segment here: nbc.com/nbc-nightly-ne…

Join us for a live virtual event on May 23rd w/ FTC Commissioner @BedoyaFTC, community leaders, grocers, and advocates to examine how dominant retailers bully the market and how federal leaders can cultivate fairness in our food system. Register here ➡️ ilsr.org/high-food-pric…

Yesterday, Amy Klobuchar & Chuck Grassley reintroduced legislation that would outlaw some of the most egregious tactics Big Tech uses to exploit and undermine small businesses. AICOA, if passed, will address monopoly power problems across the economy. smallbusinessrising.net/updates/statem…

Once again, the so-called unsinkable Titanic thumbs its nose at the hubris of men of enormous wealth and privilege.

Join Stacy Mitchell and RUBI today at 3:30 pm ET to hear how the growing anti-monopoly movement is making remarkable progress toward breaking up concentrated corporate power and building a durable, multiracial, rural-urban progressive majority. eventbrite.com/e/how-anti-mon…

“Today’s action to break Amazon’s monopoly control over online commerce is great news for Americans... This is one of the most important antitrust cases in U.S. history.” Read Stacy Mitchell’s full statement ⬇️ ilsr.org/statement-ftc-…

1. Hello. Today, the US government sued to stop Amazon’s monopoly over online retail. It’s an unprecedented triumph for the small business owners, workers and shoppers who Amazon has dominated, abused and ripped off for years. Let’s talk about what this means for us.

Forget Prime Day — the FTC antitrust lawsuit against Amazon has got our attention 👀. Stay tuned until the end of this week's episode for Laura's closing commentary: bit.ly/3LVYq01 @linakhanFTC Institute for Local Self-Reliance Stacy Mitchell #Amazon #AmazonMonopoly #AntitrustLawsuit

1. Yesterday, the Chicago City Council banned new dollar stores from opening within 1 mile of an existing dollar store. 60+ other cities have enacted similar ordinances. Chicago is the largest city to do so. ilsr.org/chicago-city-c…

"You see dynamic pricing in places where you also see a lot of market power,” says ron knox. Amazon has so much pricing power in part because it’s “one of the world’s best collectors of consumer data.”

After Jeff Bezos withdrew the Washington Post’s endorsement of Kamala Harris, many people are thinking about canceling their Prime accounts. We agree: It’s time to break up with Amazon. If you’re wondering, “how do I shop if I don’t shop on Amazon?” ILSR is here to help. 🧵⬇️