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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryStrategy & FrameworksDuplication 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 MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated 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.