It's not just the retail sector that has been monopolised in oder to allow easier central control.
How many different banks are left now?
How many water providers?
How many food producers?
How many energy providers?
All areas of the economy which are important to control of the population have been systematically condensed down to a few dominant corporations. The
anti-trust laws have been completely ignored for decades now, and it would seem the design is clear: Total central control.

