Final answer:
Grocery store owners defend against price gouging claims by charging the going rate, paralleling agricultural growers' strategies. 'Mom and Pop' stores may not earn economic profits but sustain operations for community engagement or personal satisfaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Grocery store owners justify themselves against allegations of price gouging by explaining that they charge the going rate for their goods. This is similar to the conditions that agricultural growers face, where setting a higher price would result in a loss of customers to competitors offering lower prices. Additionally, the existence of small 'Mom and Pop' grocery stores implies the presence of factors beyond economic profits, such as serving the community or fulfilling a personal passion for the business. In extraordinarily disruptive events, norms regarding transactions may also temporarily shift, reflecting the unique context of the situation.