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The Global Insight

What is happening when there is monopolistic competition in a market?

Author

James Williams

Updated on February 09, 2026

Monopolistic competition occurs when an industry has many firms offering products that are similar but not identical. Unlike a monopoly, these firms have little power to set curtail supply or raise prices to increase profits.

Does a monopolistic market mean monopolistic competition?

Definition: Monopolistic competition is a market structure which combines elements of monopoly and competitive markets. Essentially a monopolistic competitive market is one with freedom of entry and exit, but firms can differentiate their products.

Is monopolistic competition imperfect competition?

Monopolistic competition is a type of imperfect competition such that there are many producers competing against each other, but selling products that are differentiated from one another (e.g. by branding or quality) and hence are not perfect substitutes. Unlike perfect competition, the firm maintains spare capacity.

What happens to monopolistic competition in the long run?

In the long run, companies in monopolistic competition still produce at a level where marginal cost and marginal revenue are equal. However, the demand curve will have shifted to the left due to other companies entering the market. Companies in monopolistic competition will earn zero economic profit in the long run.

What is an example of monopsony?

A monopsony is when a firm is the sole purchaser of a good or service whereas a monopoly is when one firm is the sole producer of a good or service. The classic example of a monopsony is a company coal town, where the coal company acts the sole employer and therefore the sole purchaser of labor in the town.

How is product differentiation a feature of monopolistic competition?

Answer: In monopolistic competition, product differentiation is the key to add an element of monopoly to the market. Such a market needs to have a large number of sellers and ease of entry/exit from the industry. Hence, options, a, b, and c are characteristics of such a market. A homogeneous product is an…

How does monopolistic competition lead to normal profits?

In the case of the industry or area where the monopolistic competition exists and there are super profits, then it will encourage the new firm to enter the market as there is the freedom of entry which in long run will lead to the normal profits.

Which is an example of Monopolistic Competition in India?

In order to understand monopolistic competition, let’s look at the market for soaps and detergents in India. There are many well-known brands like Lux, Rexona, Dettol, Dove, Pears, etc. in this segment. Since all manufacturers produce soaps, it appears to be an example of perfect competition.

How is the hairdresser an example of oligopolistic competition?

The hairdresser service is not the big chain industry and thus keeps them away from the more oligopolistic market structure. The prices offered by the hairdresser will depend on the services offered by them and its uniqueness.