The Price is White

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Meanwhile I have some great neighbors from NY/PA/NJ that are maga as hell.

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Government-run grocery stores don’t magically escape the economic realities private retailers face. In high-theft areas, like North Baton Rouge or parts of LA, shrinkage (theft/spoilage) can hit 3-5% of inventory, compared to a 1.4% national average, per the National Retail Federation (2023).

A government store in these areas would still deal with:

• Theft and Looting: Organized retail crime (ORC), like LA’s 2023 smash-and-grab incidents ($500 million in losses for Target alone), would hit public stores too. Without strong security, shelves could empty fast, as seen in Venezuela’s state-run stores during their 2016-2018 shortages.

• High Operating Costs: Running a medium-sized grocery in an urban area like NYC or LA costs $2-5 million annually, per urban retail estimates. Add theft-related losses, and you’re looking at millions more to restock or secure the store. In low-income areas with lower sales volume, revenue wouldn’t cover costs.

• Bureaucratic Inefficiency: Government enterprises often struggle with supply chain issues or mismanagement. Look at the NYC subway system’s $19 billion debt and chronic delays—public groceries could face similar red tape, leading to understocked shelves or poor service.

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