Yabby, spot on as usual.

Individual, some of these prices stem not just from freight but from turnover. Imagine the cost of produce in Sydney if a retailer had only the turnover of a tiny community in Nth QLD! Most food retailers make a reasonable living (and I am excluding those big bullys), but not enough to say that they are rich, or inflating their prices. They will charge a combination of what they need to cover their costs and make a living, and what the market will bear. Lets face it, if you could squeeze an extra $10/hr out of your boss, I am sure that you wouldnt hesitate!

Country Gal,
I appreciate what you're getting at but in our case it's just blatant greed & rip off. There are smaller outlets which almost retail at half the cost than a particular shop & the largest of these retails for up to 60 % less. There are items for say, $ 10 in the other shops which the rip off shop charges $22 . Fuel is $1.95 in one & $2.80 in the rip off. Considering the rip off shop is only 500 m from the others they can not blame freight as the reason for their inflated prices. We can't report them because you need to put your existence in the town on the line. Such is the system. Where is the accc ?