The Main Street Competition Coalition (MSCC) is formalizing its structure as a permanent advocacy organization, expanding its mission beyond Robinson-Patman Act enforcement to challenge market power abuses across grocery, pharmacy and agriculture.
The coalition — founded by the National Grocers Association (NGA) and the National Community Pharmacists Association — describes itself as the first business-backed advocacy organization built specifically to fight monopoly and oligopoly power through antitrust enforcement. An official launch event is scheduled for May 14 in Washington, D.C.
“At its heart, this is a fight for the survival of independent businesses and producers that make up the backbone of the American economy,” said Chris Jones, executive director of the MSCC.
“When a handful of massive corporations control entire supply chains, they squeeze out the competition, rig the marketplace in their favor, and ultimately harm American consumers. We’re here to restore a level playing field where competition, not market power, determines success.”
The MSCC originally formed in 2021 as a collection of trade associations focused on reinvigorating enforcement of the Robinson-Patman Act, the federal law prohibiting discriminatory pricing by suppliers. Over 5 years, the coalition secured renewed Robinson-Patman Act enforcement at the Federal Trade Commission and built bipartisan support among policymakers on Capitol Hill and at the state level.
The expanded organization will now take on a broader portfolio: antitrust enforcement across sectors, fighting regulatory capture at the agency level and developing policy solutions to remove systemic barriers that block independent businesses from legal recourse against dominant competitors.
Independent grocers are central to the coalition’s case. RF Buche of Buche Foods, an independent grocer in South Dakota, framed the stakes in direct terms.
“Independent grocers are the lifeblood of our food system, but we’re being squeezed by discriminatory pricing that favors the biggest players,” Buche said. “By restoring enforcement of laws like the Robinson-Patman Act, we can help ensure that fresh food remains affordable and accessible for every neighborhood, regardless of income level or zip code.”
The coalition draws support from agriculture as well. Lance Lillibridge, a row crop farmer and beef cattle producer in Vinton, Iowa, pointed to concentration in farm inputs.
“Farm input suppliers blame high prices on whatever the latest geopolitical shock is, but the real reason is staring us in the face: it’s lack of antitrust enforcement,” Lillibridge said.
Community pharmacy is the third pillar of the alliance. Kristen Riddle, National Community Pharmacists Association president and owner/operator of American Home Pharmacy in Arkansas, connected the issue to patient outcomes.
“In many parts of America, community pharmacies are the only option for obtaining medication,” Riddle said. “Middlemen and massive PBMs are driving up drug costs and pushing local pharmacies to the brink. We’re joining this fight to protect our patients’ wallets and their health.”
The May 14 launch event, running from 8-11 a.m. in Washington, will introduce the coalition’s leadership, policy agenda and 2026 priorities. The MSCC plans to unveil its first major call to action at the event, presenting a vision for how the Trump Administration can promote affordability through stronger antitrust enforcement. The event is open to press, policymakers, legal practitioners, affected industries and prospective members. Registration is available at mainstreetcompetition.com.
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