It is not for the reason you think.

Items cost something and 99 cents, because when there is a bulk pricing on the total, the business gives you no other choice than to scale up in order to benefit from the benefit.

Ex : free delivery when you buy 30$ worth of groceries

Because all the items are something and 99 cents at the grocery store, you need to buy one more item each time you are trying to cross over from the decimals.

Ex : $4.99 + $7.99 + $3.99 + $12.99 = $29.96  

Oh. Oh. Four more little cent and you can get the free delivery…

Now, try finding something priced at four cent in the store : practically impossible. So, you are forced to scale up. Meaning, you are forced to buy something you did not intend on buying initially, all so you can tip over your total and enjoy the free delivery.

This is a small example of how prices are engineered to strategically control your behaviour.

Now, you know: when an object of consumption is priced at something and 99 cents, it could be cheaper.

Stay woke,

Elle Mealone, 2026.