The FTC claims Harry’s broke up a duopoly in the shaving market enjoyed by Edgewell and Gillette owner Procter & Gamble, and that the acquisition would increase prices for customers. (The Logic)

Talking point: This lawsuit, which all five FTC commissioners voted to pursue, could establish precedent for much larger enforcement actions the agency is considering against tech firms like Amazon. The FTC argued that Target and Walmart selling Harry’s razors prompted Edgewell to cut its prices. As of 2018, Harry’s had just 2.6 per cent of the U.S. men’s razor market in 2018, compared with Edgewell’s 13.6 per cent and Gillette’s 47 per cent. If the FTC successfully argues this is a duopoly, it could cause problems for Amazon, which has a roughly 40 per cent share of the online shopping market, or Facebook and Google’s combined nearly 60 per cent share of the U.S. internet advertising market. The FTC has become increasingly assertive, though not always successfully. Last month, a judge overturned the agency’s attempt to block a US$625-million merger of two hydrogen peroxide makers, the first such loss for the FTC in over a decade.