Do you own reality check. Retail chain stores operate as their own profit centers. That means that individual stores price items based on the costs of that particular store. Areas that require extra security and have high incidences of shop lifting charge more. Go into any Walmart or grocery store in a "poor" area. Check prices on a few items. then check the prices on the same items of the same store in an upper middle class area. "Poor" people pay more because they are thieves. Thieves also get arrested more than non-thieves ...statistically speaking. That's also why major supermarket chains don't want to open stores in black neighborhoods. The costs (theft, insurance, getting competent people willing to work in the area, etc) are much higher, and they don't want to see a TV newsbabe comparing price of food in stores in white vs black areas.