[sphelps]

Large chain stores often have higher prices because their costs are more, not product cost but everything else like rent, utilities and staff. In some cases a smaller salt specific store will have the close to the same monthly operating costs and a large general stores daily cost.

Also the price on certain products could be related to how many suppliers are involved, quite often stores are limited with contracts and restrictions and have to order from certain suppliers. The salt for instance could go through a few suppliers before it gets to that specific store, likely the reason the price is so high. I would assume that if the store could bring in product for less and increase sales with a lower price while maintaining the margin they would do so.