Final answer:
If Microsoft purchased Piggly-Wiggly, it would exemplify a conglomerate, which is a corporation made up of varied companies in different industries. Such diversification is distinct from a monopoly, where a single company dominates a specific market. Small local stores may operate at a loss due to non-financial motivations.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Microsoft bought a chain of food retailers such as Piggly-Wiggly, it would be an example of a conglomerate. This term refers to a corporation that is composed of several different companies operating in diverse industries. In contrast, a company that exercises disproportionate control over the available choices and prices within a specific market, like allegations against Microsoft in the mid-90s for computers, would be classified as a monopoly.
The phenomenon of companies shifting operations from one country to another, like clothing corporations moving to China from the United States, is an example of globalization and is typically driven by the pursuit of lower production costs. Meanwhile, small Mom and Pop firms, like inner city grocery stores, might continue to operate without economic profits due to non-monetary factors such as community service, personal fulfillment, or as a means to provide local employment.