Industry: In the Shadows

In the ranks of U.S. business thrives a shadow industry whose presence is largely ignored by businessmen and talked about only discreetly by its managers. The industry is forbidden by law to advertise to consumers in publications or by direct mail; its products are the center of perpetual controversy, and their sale is severely limited in at least two states. Yet they are bought by some 15 million Americans, who—though they seldom advertise their purchases—spend, according to one industry estimate, about $200 million a year for them. This evasive but popular business is the contraceptive industry—and it is growing so...

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