Glossary/Strategy & Frameworks/Duplication of Purchase Law
Strategy & Frameworks
Duplication of Purchase Law
Gerald Goodhardt and Andrew Ehrenberg's finding that a brand shares customers with competitors in proportion to those competitors' market penetration.
By Brandon Mina·CEO, BrandPilot AI·Updated November 2026
Short answer
The Duplication of Purchase Law is Gerald Goodhardt and Andrew Ehrenberg's finding that a brand shares customers with competitors in proportion to those competitors' market penetration. Larger brands share more customers with everyone. It suggests most brands compete broadly across a category rather than within tight segments, which affects targeting and positioning decisions.