I have been noticing that providers, who previously operated independently of each other out of the same location but on different days/times, are increasingly joining together to form "cooperatives" (as opposed to agencies), complete with trade names and professional-looking websites. Presumably, by banding together they are able to take advantage of economies of scale and keep a lid on rising advertising costs, etc.  

Assuming consolidation like this is the wave of the future, what can we expect 5, 10 or 15 years down the road? Hostile takeovers and IPOs? Consulting firms advising providers on how to deliver BBBJ's more efficiently? Will the mom-and-pop body rub parlor as we know it be squeezed out of business? And, most frightening of all, when will sexbots replace flesh-and-blood providers?

-- Modified on 7/15/2015 10:02:11 PM