Bristol is not SF. The cost of living is vastly less in the uk, especially outside of London.

okay but why? cost of living is less in america's burbs too. you are getting cause and effect reversed: the huge chain stores and PE firms, they are very efficient, i mean that's why they grow so big, and being efficient is strongly associated with lower prices.

PE firms are efficient... at maximising equity. A good example of what they do is find the maximum viable price consumers will pay.

A small business might be less accurate - figure out a "reasonable rate", and therefore charge less.

In stuff like restaurants though it translates to increased margin not lower prices. Mom and pop restaurant margin is like a few percentage points if you are successful. Some franchises sniff 10 even 25% for say a chic fil a.

A burrito at Chipotle in San Francisco is already like >$20. That's just the state of things.

it's $12.65... you can order online at a san francisco location and see for yourself...