Nobody's giving food for free.
I'm sure the vast majority pay in a timely fashion. It's not worth losing those customers for the small percentage that don't.
Ask the vast majority of Groceries in BP/WB and they will tell you the vast majority owes in the thousands. Many have accounts in many places and have big tabs in each. These are the local groceries, as the big (Gourmet/KRM/Bingo) don't have credit accounts.
Don't believe me? Come and stand by the registers and just watch people write up and the amount owed. See a kid shopping alone? big chance that family is way behind in payment
Is taking credit the norm in BP? Outside BP too?
In the heimesh places. I know in KJ (& I believe other are now doing the same) the computer is set that you need to have your balance cleared like once per month