Markedsskift

Markedsskift is a term used in Scandinavian economic discourse to refer to a fundamental shift in market conditions, distinct from routine price movements. Etymologically, it combines marked (market) with skift (shift), and it is often employed to describe structural changes in competition, demand patterns, or regulatory environments.

Causes commonly include technological innovation, policy reforms, globalization, demographic changes, or rapid changes in consumer preferences. Such shifts can alter market equilibrium by changing barriers to entry, the number of active participants, or the distribution of market power, leading to lasting reconfigurations in pricing, profitability, and investment flows.

Indicators of markedsskift include sustained changes in market concentration, entry and exit rates, liquidity, price discovery efficiency, and shifts in price levels that persist beyond typical business cycles. Researchers may also look at changes in industry profitability, capital allocation, and the speed at which information is incorporated into prices.

In practice, markedsskift is used to differentiate long-term structural change from temporary volatility. It informs strategic planning, regulatory analysis, and macroeconomic assessment. Critics note that the term can be broad and its application may vary across sectors, making precise measurement challenging without clear methodological criteria.

See also structural change, regime shift, market microstructure, and business cycle.