Boots Faces Backlash Over Hefty Airport Click & Collect Fee Increase

• Boots raises airport click and collect fee to £4.50, tripling the previous cost.
• The service helps travelers bypass the 100ml liquid limit at airport security.
• Customers express frustration on social media, calling the hike "pure greed."
• Fee change occurs as Boots faces potential flotation on the London Stock Exchange.

In a move that has sparked widespread discontent, Boots has significantly increased the fee for its airport click and collect service, hiking it up from £1.50 to £4.50. This service, popular among travelers wanting to carry full-sized liquid products through airport security, is now under scrutiny for what many customers are calling an "absolutely ridiculous" price surge.

Alice Grahns at The Sun reports that the fee increase applies even to orders over £15, which previously enjoyed free collection. The service, available at 15 major UK airports including Gatwick, Heathrow, and Leeds Bradford, allows customers to pick up essentials like suncream and toiletries at airside branches, thus circumventing the strict 100ml liquid rule imposed by airport security.

The backlash was immediate, with disgruntled users venting their frustrations on various platforms including X (formerly known as Twitter) and Reddit. One user remarked, "£4.50 is an excessive charge for click and collect anywhere. Looks like pure greed to me!" This sentiment was echoed by others who felt that the increase could not be justified by the convenience the service provides.

Boots defended the fee adjustment on X, stating that the growing popularity of the service has led to increased costs related to security scans and the need for additional storage space at airport locations. They clarified, "Sadly we were unable to continue offering this service at the previous price point," indicating that operational costs had become unsustainable under the old fee structure.

Susannah Streeter, from investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown, suggested that this move might be linked to broader financial strategies as Boots' parent company, Walgreens Boots Alliance, contends with financial pressures, including a reported operating loss in the last quarter. She speculated, "Recouping costs wherever it can right now is clearly a priority," and hinted at the possibility of Boots being spun off and floated on the London Stock Exchange.

Tom Church, Co-Founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, commented, "While understanding the need for businesses to adjust prices in response to increased costs, the manner and magnitude of Boots' price hike could significantly impact customer loyalty, particularly among frequent travelers who have come to rely on this convenient service."