Why the same product costs more in another branch
Most people assume a chain has one set of prices. It does not. Every branch publishes its own price list, and differences between branches of the same chain are normal.
What drives it
- Local competition. A branch next door to a cheap rival prices differently from one with no rival nearby.
- The kind of shop. One chain can run a big discount store and a small city-centre shop. Two different models, two price lists.
- The branch's own costs. Rent and running costs are higher in a city centre, and that ends up in the price.
- Local promotions. A promotion can run in some branches and not others.
Why it matters when comparing
"Chain X is cheaper than chain Y" is a hard claim to defend, because it ignores both the branch and the basket. Two things are more real:
- The price in the branch you are standing in.
- Your own basket, where the expensive items move the gap far more than the cheap ones.
How to check
Pick the branch in the app and look at your list with its prices. If you are considering another branch of the same chain, pick that one and see whether the gap is worth the drive. More often than not the answer comes down to two or three expensive items, not the whole basket.
Common questions
Is it legal for a chain to price each branch differently?
Yes. There is no duty to charge the same in every branch. The duty is to publish the prices and to mark them in the shop.
How do I know the price in my branch?
Pick the branch in the app, and the prices you see are its own.
