Supply Chain Intermediaries, Price Regulation, and Inflation: A Comparative Study of Developing and Developed Economies

This publication explores the critical role of supply chains in economic development, with a particular focus on how intermediaries wholesalers, retailers, marketers, and agents shape market outcomes. While intermediaries are essential in linking producers to consumers and driving efficiency, in developing countries like Nigeria and Ghana, weak institutional oversight often enables exploitative practices such as non-transparent pricing and artificial inflation of goods. These dynamics not only fuel inflation but also deepen socio-economic inequality. Drawing on comparative insights from the United Kingdom and other developed economies, the study examines both the enabling and distorting effects of intermediaries in market systems. It highlights the urgent need for stronger regulatory frameworks, transparent pricing mechanisms, and policy interventions that promote fairness and sustainability in supply chain management. By addressing these issues, the paper contributes to ongoing debates on inflation control, consumer protection, and inclusive economic growth in developing contexts.