WHSmith accused of 'price gouging' as airport shops charge tourists £2.69 for Polos
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By ROSIE TAYLOR
Published: | Updated:
Holidaymakers have been warned to avoid WHSmith's 'rip-off' airport stores after the chain hiked prices to 'obscene' highs.
Basic goods such as water and snacks cost more than twice as much at the chain compared with other stores within the same airport terminals, The Mail on Sunday found.
Customers have accused WH Smith of 'obscene price gouging', while consumer experts advised holidaymakers to shop around within airports or train stations.
Travellers are being charged around £4 for a 750ml bottle of Evian water in WH Smith, yet as little as £1.80 elsewhere in the departure lounges at Gatwick, Heathrow and Glasgow airports.
A packet of Walkers crisps was £2.69 in WH Smith, more than double the £1.30 price in Boots, within the same terminals.
A packet of Polo mints was £2.69 at WH Smith, 145 per cent more than the £1.10 Boots was charging.
Punters have been warned to avoid WHSmith as they are accused of 'price gouging' at airport branches (Pictured: WHSmith newsagent store at London's Heathrow airport)
Travellers are being charged around £4 for a 750ml bottle of Evian water in WH Smith, yet as little as £1.80 elsewhere in the departure lounges at Gatwick , Heathrow and Glasgow airports
It comes after WH Smith issued a profit warning and sold off £100 million of shares this summer, after saying fewer passengers were flying abroad due to the Iran war.
The newsagents, founded in London in 1792, sold off around 480 of its high street stores last year but retained around 590 outlets in airports, train stations and hospitals in the UK, and more than 600 other stores around the world.
Consumer expert Martyn James said that while businesses had higher bills to operate within airports, this did not justify the 'shameless overcharging' at WH Smith.
'We don't see this level of profiteering with other airport brands,' he said. 'While we may expect to pay more at the airport as a captive audience, WH Smith charges people far, far more than standard charges for items bought at airports.'
At Victoria railway station in London, where there is more competition among retailers, the prices for the same products were still significantly higher, with a 750ml bottle of Evian at £3.69, a Walkers grab bag at £1.99 and Polo mints at £1.99.
In comparison, for the same-sized products, Boots at Victoria station charges £2 for Evian, £1.40 for a Walkers grab bag and 85p fo Polo mints.
One traveller was shocked to be charged £4.19 for a 500ml bottle of Coca-Cola in Jersey airport, saying: 'What excuse is there for ripping people off like this?'
Defending its prices, WH Smith said: 'While our stores operate in complex retail environments with significantly higher costs, we always work to offer customers value through meal deal, multi-buy promotions and selected £1 drinks... We regularly review our pricing to ensure it remains competitive.'
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