WHSmith prices 'should be illegal' after selling £4.19 Pepsi
Welsh snooker legend Mark Williams recently posted a picture of a checkout screen in WHSmith, where it showed a 500ml bottle of Pepsi Max costing £4.19.
Williams was at Heathrow Airport at the time. Airports across the country are slightly notorious for charging inflated prices.
At the time of writing, a 500ml bottle of Pepsi Max from Tesco costs £1.59.
Customers subsequently blasted the store.
WHSmith pricing should be illegal in general, no clue how they get away with it https://t.co/MajNLaSHTg — Sel (@SA1903_) June 4, 2025
One said: "WHSmith literally sold off their entire High Street business but kept travel hub shops for this very reason. It's like printing money and they don't care about the customers."
Another commented: "Smiths are proper cosy cosy with all the airports, word is they mark up their prices by 50% and go halters with the airport the shops located in".
Someone else replied: "I paid that in Liverpool airport a couple of weeks ago, couldn't believe my eyes".
Another said: "WHSmith pricing should be illegal in general, no clue how they get away with it".
Some, however, defended the pricing.
Recommended reading:
Replying to the previous post, a user commented: "It's in an airport mate".
To which he responded: "Expensive in other WHSmith stores too hence why I said general".
Airports tend to be expensive due to a combination of factors, including high operational costs, the captive audience they serve, and the unique challenges of operating within a confined space.
These costs are then reflected in higher prices for food, beverages, retail goods, and services within the airport, as well as in airline ticket prices, which often include airport fees.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
How many people are registered homeless in Newport?
'Unprecedented' housing pressures are placing more people in Newport at risk of homelessness. The city council said it has made progress in tackling homelessness in the past year – halving the number of people sleeping rough and helping move more families from temporary accommodation to a more stable home. Meanwhile, initiatives such as Homewards, set up by Prince William, have brought organisations and charities together to take a more holistic approach to the issue and bring 'everyone around the table'. Despite these optimistic signs, senior councillors have warned that demand for properties in Wales' fastest-growing city far outstrips supply, and more homes must be built. In a call for compassion and better understanding of the issue, they also said enduring stereotypes around homelessness must also be changed. 'There is a perception that homelessness is only about rough-sleeping or experienced by people due to their life choices, and we need to challenge this narrative,' said Cllr Saeed Adan, the cabinet member for housing. Debt, domestic violence and abuse, relationship breakdowns, and landlords deciding to sell rental properties are all common reasons the council hears from people worried about losing their homes. Another major factor is 'ridiculous' private rental prices, added Cllr Dimitri Batrouni, who leads the local authority. Prince William five-year programme Homewards in Newport 'Most people who are in the private rental sector are paying more than you would pay for a mortgage on a monthly repayment,' he said. 'That's not just a Newport issue, but Newport's experiencing a particular problem because of its population growth. Demand is high.' The most recent census found Newport's population had increased by 9.5% over a decade to nearly 160,000 in 2021 – the greatest increase in Wales. Nationally, the Welsh population grew by 1.4% over the same period. The city council is currently preparing a new Local Development Plan – an overarching blueprint for new building – and regional discussions on housing strategy are in the 'embryonic stages', explained Cllr Batrouni. He said 'the real kicker' is more private rental supply homes, for which Newport realistically requires 'a huge amount of supply'. Beyond demand for housing, the financial strain on many residents is a huge burden which leads to homelessness worries and dangers. 'People are working two, three jobs and they're still struggling,' said Cllr Batrouni. 'People are working their arses off. They're doing the right thing, they're paying everything and then one job goes wrong and suddenly they can't afford anything.' This is the reality for many people who seek the council's help, and is far from accusations that someone facing homelessness must be 'lazy', the leader added. 'Some people might have personally made terrible decisions that meant they've ended up on the streets, but some might not have,' he said. 'You can never guarantee you will not find yourself in that situation. Life is very, very harsh and unduly unfair.' Among Newport's improving homelessness figures is a 'roughly 50% drop' in couples with children requiring temporary accommodation. Cllr Batrouni says families have been prioritised to not just help children now, but also to try and 'break the cycle' of young people who have disrupted childhoods later becoming at risk of homelessness when they are older. Prince of Wales wants project to end homelessness ... 'We have people on the streets who predominantly have had trauma in childhood,' he explains. 'All the evidence seems to suggest that children who experienced an unstable life continue that – if you really want to break the pattern, you reduce [trauma] as much as you can early on. 'If we get this right, this won't be a conversation in 15 to 20 years' time as they become adults. And that surely is the goal.' While many families have been moved on from temporary accommodation, there remains concern around the number of individual adults still waiting for a home, seemingly stuck in the system due to a lack of available housing. Currently, the council believes more than 700 new one-bedroom homes are needed to keep up with demand. Cllr Batrouni admits the council 'has got to deal with the here and now', but must also 'get better at the predictive part' of planning policies, so the city is better prepared for the housing demand of the future. One type of property that generally caters to individual adults is the HMO (house in multiple occupation), but these all too often prove controversial among neighbours who fear they pile pressure on local services and can attract problem behaviour. Cllr Adan said Newport will soon receive a bespoke 'HMO study' which reviews current rules around overconcentrations of those properties – and which councillors frequently hear are too relaxed. 'What we'll be looking at is a measurable way of controlling HMOs through the development management process, so it doesn't impact those areas that are significantly affected,' he said. 'What we don't want to cause is any inequality. We're hoping that on the back of this new study that we receive, that we change the rules.'
Powys County Times
3 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Tesco axes Foresight Pease Pudding (410g) from UK stores
Tesco has been forced to apologise after confirming a "delicious retro product" has been discontinued from stores across the UK. Major supermarkets, including Aldi and Sainsbury's, have already discontinued products in 2025. Aldi has axed several products from its range this year, including: Discontinued UK chocolates and sweets Meanwhile, Sainsbury's has discontinued the likes of its mini sausage rolls, a range of eggs and two of its own-brand coffees - Mellow Roast Instant Coffee and Taste the Difference Indian Monsoon Malabar Ground Coffee. Tesco discontinues "delicious retro product" Tesco has also axed items from its range this year, including its British Whole Milk 3.408L (6 Pints). The supermarket giant has now confirmed that Foresight Pease Pudding (410g) has also been discontinued across all UK stores. One shopper took to X (formerly Twitter) recently to ask about the ready-cooked vegetable product, which is made up of rehydrated yellow split peas. Hi. I'm so sorry, but yes, this is now discontinued in all stores. Liz — Tesco (@Tesco) June 20, 2025 They posted: "@Tesco Are you discontinuing "Foresight Pease pudding 410g tins" in all stores or just some? "It was in Tesco Bursledon Towers Southampton, discounted to clear (brought the lot!). Is it being discontinued by Princes?" A Tesco spokesperson replied, saying: "Hi. I'm so sorry, but yes, this is now discontinued in all stores." It appears Foresight Pease Pudding has also been discontinued by its makers, Princes, as it is no longer on the international food and drink group's website. Princes has been contacted for comment. "Tasty and delicious" - shoppers rave about Foresight Pease Pudding Foresight Pease Pudding had proved popular among shoppers with it boasting a 4.3 star rating on the Tesco website. One person, reviewing the ready-cooked vegetable product, said: "Pretty authentic Pease Pudding - excellent with pork, ham etc, and also as a meat-free healthy staple, packed with protein. Highly recommended. "It's been out of stock for a while now - please, Tesco, get some more in!" Another added: "Just like home made. Delicious and highly nutritious." While a third person, describing the Pease Pudding as a "delicous retro product", wrote: "Absolutely delicious! It's a bit like mashed potato with carrot; that's the nearest I can describe the flavour. "I saw it in a chap's basket in the queue at the till about four years ago and I was intrigued by the retro look of it. He went and got me a tin.
Powys County Times
3 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Powys cider maker makes S4C Busnes Bwyd TV show finale
A Powys businessman who has dreams of opening a Welsh cider house and taproom has made it through to the final of a television show which could take his venture to the next level. Sam Robinson is on a mission to grow an orchard-rooted business that's rich in Welsh culture by crafting his fine sparkling Seidir Tydecho (Tydecho Cider) just outside Machynlleth. The local producer has made the final three in the brand-new S4C series Busnes Bwyd (Food Business) as they go head-to-head in a bid to win £5,000 in business funding and expert mentorship. Raised in Oxford, Sam moved to the Dyfi Valley to work as a farmer after graduating in philosophy from Cardiff University. Within 18 months, he immersed himself into the community by joining a rugby team and a choir as well as becoming fluent in Welsh. View this post on Instagram A post shared by S4C (@s4c) RECOMMENDED READING: 'I'm definitely a better cider maker than a businessman,' Sam said. 'We have a very unique product. Not many people produce fine ciders here in Wales and most certainly nobody is producing the kind of sparkling cider that we make.' Joining Sam in Wednesday's final are former boxing champ Cassius Walker who is the founder of Port Talbot-based Portablo Coffi, a community-focussed coffee business known for its handcrafted cups and signature blend; and Pwllheli's Laura Pozzi Evans who runs Fferm Ty Cynan, a hands-on fruit farm producing fresh strawberries, jams and chutneys. The four-episode series has showcased a diverse line-up of small business owners from across Wales, each rooted in community, heritage, and a deep passion for quality produce. Over a series of challenges, they faced rigorous testing in branding, business planning, and market appeal—guided by two of Wales' most respected business minds: award-winning entrepreneur Marian Evans and Wales' 'original entrepreneurial guru' Professor Dylan Jones-Evans. BAFTA-winning comedian Tudur Owen presents the series, bringing warmth, humour, and a healthy dose of mischief as he guided the competitors through each twist and turn of the competition. Together, the mentors and presenter challenge the participants to think big, refine their brands, and prove they have what it takes to succeed in the fiercely competitive food and drink market.
