Retail has more expenses than wholesale. Retail stores have to raise their prices to maintain their location, pay and train employees, and advertise their products. Also, retail store customers generally make small purchases, such as one new mattress, so retail store owners can’t afford to lower their prices. Wholesale stores, on the other hand, don’t have to raise their prices since they don’t have a large overhead. They don’t have to pay for retail fronts in central locations, nor do they pay and train employees to sell products.