Want to markup gas by 8 cents a gallon in Wisconsin?

You cannot because 8 cents does not meet the state's minimum markup requirements. The same logic applies to Meijer and Walmart for groceries and school supplies.

The minimum markup laws are a relic from seriously-misguided depression-era laws, still on the books in 26 states.

Price Police

The Wisconsin price police say Meijer Prices are Illegal and demand the grocery store charge more for all kinds of items.

In Wisconsin, the price police have gone after Meijer, a superstore that sells everything from groceries to electronics to pharmaceuticals. Rivals filed complaints accusing it of pricing 37 items—including bananas, dog food, ice cream and Cheerios—below cost. Meijer, which runs 200 stores in five states, says this was the first time it had ever been accused of hurting consumers by charging too little. Nonetheless, Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection sent the superstore a letter explaining the requirements of the state's Unfair Sales Act.