The way that stores price their products makes no apparent economic sense [...] - 1 can of coke : $1.00 - 12 cans of coke : $3.00 Makes total sense to me. T

The way that stores price their products makes no apparent economic sense [...] - 1 can of coke : $1.00 - 12 cans of coke : $3.00 Makes total sense to me. Those products are targeting entirely different markets (person walking by who wants 1 coke; vs. person shopping for groceries). The issue isn't that Americans are "encouraged to buy in bulk", it's that merchants recognize how to take advantage of Americans' need for instant gratification. The concept of virtually unlimited soda refills was alien to me, and I thought there was a catch to it, but apparently not. There is. It's called type 2 diabetes, and it's epidemic here.