The private sector refers to the part of the economy owned by individuals and operated for personal benefit. Exchanges in the private sector contribute to economic efficiency as individual choice and competition improve efficiency. Private goods are owned privately and benefit only their owners, while the public sector is owned by society as a whole. Private sector exchanges involve both parties benefitting as buyers and sellers transact. Efficiency results from businesses achieving maximum benefit from resources, and competition forces less efficient companies out of the market to the advantage of consumers. The private sector market establishes prices through competition and provides choices to satisfy consumers. Producers must meet consumer wants and needs efficiently to succeed against other producers.