definitely ...didn't mean to imply that...only that they are cheap-er than the small markets, simply because they buy bigger lots, and often corner the market on a product...their crap is cheaper than small market crap, like 7-11 or, where they exist, family or mompop grocers, due to the purchasing power they possess...
whether they are technically monopolies or not, their size enables them to put smaller operations out of business, except where people have and are willing to spend more money in little, expensive, boutique marts, or, where people are so poor they have absolutely no choice but to patronize a smaller neighborhood store that charges exorbitant prices for regular or low quality product, because they pay high prices for product and insurance, and bigger companies won't bother with that area...
fs