Identify whether or not each of the following scenarios describes a competitive market, along with the correct explanation of why or why not.
1. in a major metropolitan area, there are many coffee shops, but one chain has gained a large market share because customers feel its coffee tastes better than its competitors'.
2. dozens of companies produce plain white socks. consumers regard plain white socks as identical and don't care about who sells them their socks. the technology for producing socks is widely known, and any reputable person who wanted to start a sock manufacturing business could obtain a loan from a bank to buy the necessary machinery.
3. only three airlines fly from san francisco to medford, oregon. no new airline will enter this market, because there are not enough customers to share among four or more airlines without each one experiencing substantially higher average costs. consumers view all airlines as providing basically the same service and will shop around for the lowest price.
4. the government has granted the u. s. postal service the exclusive right to deliver mail.