Things sure have changed. When I worked at Lucky's food store in the 1970's, markup on food was 5% to 15% and around 30% on non-food.
That is extremely low. Even today, supermarkets get maybe 30% on food on the low end, and cannot keep the lights on at those margins. That is why they charge for shelf position and other things to drive to be profitable. Our little food store is more of a specialty shop. The point overall is its variable based on lots of things, but most profit margins for most businesses in the US are higher than the mint.
So, you're a specialty, single store? I can see mark ups like you're talking. The large chain stores have a lot more competition and volume that force/allow lower margins. I would image the US Mint is the largest bullion dealer on earth and unfortunately a monopoly.
Most likely the markup was a lot less in the 1970s because people ate a lot less pre-packaged store prepared food back then. People took home basic ingredients and cooked real meals.
Good point. I wonder too, if corp execs. and owners (shareholders) are making more now too? Anyone have any stats on that? Ok, Ok, forget it, this has nothing to do with coins or The Mint.