Boots Sparks Fury with Click and Collect Fee Hike at UK Airports
Boots has angered travellers by slapping a hefty price rise on its airport click and collect service. The fee has soared from £1.50 to a whopping £4.50, sparking outrage and frustration among customers.
Why Travellers Loved Boots Click and Collect
The service was a godsend for airport shoppers. It let travellers pick up essentials like sunscreen, deodorant, and shower gel without fretting over the 100ml liquid rule at security. Customers could order online at regular, often cheaper, prices and simply collect their haul at the airport before boarding. That meant choosing exactly what they wanted rather than being stuck with whatever was on the shelf.
Boots offered this click and collect option at 15 major UK airports, including heavy hitters Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Edinburgh.
Social Media Erupts Over Fee Rise
Travellers took to X (formerly Twitter) to vent their anger. One user slammed the new £4.50 charge as “absolutely ridiculous.” Another grilled Boots on why only airport stores hiked the fee, leaving other locations unchanged.
Boots Defends Steep Increase
In response, Boots said the fee rise came after a review revealed the old price was unsustainable. Airport outlets face extra costs for security scans and require more storage space to handle orders efficiently. A spokesperson added this is the first click and collect fee hike in over five years.
The Cost of Convenience at Airports
This U-turn highlights how tricky it is for retailers to balance customer convenience with soaring operational costs at airports. As travellers adjust to paying three times as much, debates over the true value of airport services are only just getting started.
