>>As fas as I am concerned it is and highway robbery and nothing will change that<<
Sorry Lynda, but that's not a yarn, that's reality. I work in the retail industry and own stock in the company for which I work. I pay attention to the nuts and bolts details because I have to...vested interest and all that...and I have a very good concept of the expenses they have to face. All expenses of which I might add come right off the very top, starting with the taxman's cut.
The really large chains depend on volumn to make their quid, and this can help keep costs down to a reasonable level. However, the Mom and Pop bookstores which are owned by the propriater and perhaps a few partners still have to
a) Pay provincial/county/state/national/federal income taxes,
b) Pay local property taxes,
c) Pay rent on the store or the mortgage,
d) Pay any employees plus pay for any benefits such as unemployment insurance, social security matching (Or the equivalant to same in a nation other then the USA),
e) Any and all utility bills, including electricity, gas, water, sewage,
f) Pay any fees and assesments to credit card companyies. (Did you know that everytime you use a VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER or other bank card, that the bank charges the business a fee?)
g) Pay for losses due to damage and theft (Shoplifters can eat you alive!)
h) Somehow retain any needed working capital to buy new stock and somehow,
i) Still make enough for the owner of said business to actually be able to afford a decent meal. This all just scratces the surface. Don't forget any and all insurance policies that have to be carried for fire, liability, etc.
That eats up the margin real fast, and the expenses are exactly the same for a small business as a large one. The problem a small business faces is that it's turnover in stock isn't anywhere close to what the big chain bookstores enjoy to help deal with the bills and still keep the investors happy. Then there is always the matter of supply and demand. If the demand exceeds thesupply, the price goes up. Especially if it's on something that has a premium collectors value.