This tends to be so Joe Public can't see the prices. I'm sure if you were trying to make a profit on an item you wouldn't want the client to see your cost price and then be demanding a heavy discount as you only pay xxxx for said item.
If that's the nature of the business - then I guess it's understandibly annoying to grumpy old people like me.
(Luckily I had got the price lists before they put in the pre-requirement for registration.)