WH Smith has been accused of charging substantially more for everyday goods at airport shops, with prices for water and snacks found to be more than double those at other retailers in the same terminals.
Travellers at Gatwick, Heathrow and Glasgow airports were being charged about £4 for a 750ml bottle of Evian at WH Smith, compared with as little as £1.80 elsewhere in the departure lounges.
A packet of Walkers crisps cost £2.69 at WH Smith, while Boots was selling the same product for £1.30. Polo mints were priced at £2.69 in WH Smith, against £1.10 at Boots – a difference of 145 per cent.
Airport shoppers warned to compare WH Smith prices
Consumer expert Martyn James said airport operating costs could be higher, but argued they did not justify what he described as “shameless overcharging”.
“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.”
The price differences also extended to London Victoria railway station, where a 750ml bottle of Evian cost £3.69 at WH Smith, compared with £2 at Boots. A Walkers grab bag was £1.99 at WH Smith and £1.40 at Boots, while Polo mints cost £1.99 and 85p respectively.
One traveller said they had been charged £4.19 for a 500ml bottle of Coca-Cola at Jersey Airport, asking: “What excuse is there for ripping people off like this?”
The criticism comes after WH Smith issued a profit warning and sold £100 million of shares during the summer, saying fewer passengers were travelling abroad because of the Iran war.
The company, founded in London in 1792, sold about 480 high-street shops last year but retained around 590 outlets in UK airports, railway stations and hospitals. It also has more than 600 other stores around the world.
WH Smith said its shops operated 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,” the company said. “We regularly review our pricing to ensure it remains competitive.”
