{"id":84967,"date":"2026-09-01T10:12:27","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T10:12:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/84967\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T10:12:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T10:12:27","slug":"whsmith-melbourne-airport-charging-three-times-the-price-for-period-products","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/84967\/","title":{"rendered":"WHSmith Melbourne Airport charging three times the price for period products"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Melbourne Airport retailer is facing a barrage of complaints from travellers over its \u201cpredatory\u201d pricing of essential period products, with costs soaring far beyond typical supermarket rates.<\/p>\n

WHSmith has come under fire after one stunned traveller spotted it selling tampons, liners and pads at almost three times their usual price at its store in the Virgin terminal. <\/p>\n

A photo, shared to Reddit, shows a 16-pack of Libra Super Tampons priced at $14.79 \u2013 195.8 per cent more than what large Australian supermarket chains would sell the product at full price.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, a 20-pack of Stayfree Ultra Thin Super pads has a price tag of $19.99 \u2013 a hike of 233 per cent. <\/p>\n

Other products include a 30-pack of Ultra Designer Liners sold for $10.49 and a 14-pack of By Kotex Ultra Thin pads priced at $16.79.<\/p>\n

Some of these products can be found as cheap as $2.50 when on sale at major supermarkets and chemists. <\/p>\n

The astonished customer said they expected airport prices to be higher, but not three times the usual retail rate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was genuinely shocked when I saw the price. I absolutely expected to pay more at the airport, but I wasn\u2019t expecting a basic packet of period products that is usually around $5 or less on offer at Woolies to cost $16.79 for my preferred brand,\u201d she told news.com.au. <\/p>\n

\u201cMy period had unexpectedly come early while I was travelling, and unfortunately I had packed my period products in my checked luggage. <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I do realise that it was my fault for not packing extras in my hand luggage. But I had a long journey ahead of me, so I did end up purchasing the $16.79 packet because I needed it.\u201d <\/p>\n

While the customer, who wished to remain anonymous, understood airport retailers \u201ccharged a premium\u201d, she said there was a difference between \u201ca reasonable airport mark-up and charging more than three times the usual supermarket price for an essential hygiene product\u201d. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen someone unexpectedly gets their period while travelling, they don\u2019t necessarily have the option to shop around or simply go without it,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

The post, which attracted more than 60 comments, left viewers in a fit of rage, with one commenter sharing it \u201cpisses me off\u201d because the products are \u201cessential\u201d items.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one is buying these for laughs (are they?) and if you\u2019re buying them at an upcharge it is because you need them even more,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat price is predatory. They aren\u2019t a box of Smarties you can have or not. No one wants to have to do the toilet paper fold with the 1\/2 ply in the loos, and they shouldn\u2019t have to.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is price gouging, plain and simple.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another viewer labelled the pricing as \u201cjust plain disgusting\u201d. <\/p>\n

\u201c(It\u2019s) taking advantage of women in a situation where it\u2019s needed and there is no other option, for a health essential item,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis boils my blood.\u201d <\/p>\n

A third added: \u201cthis is absolutely f**ked pricing taking advantage of people in a vulnerable situation.\u201d <\/p>\n

In December last year, the Albanese government introduced new regulations to stop supermarkets from price gouging.<\/p>\n

The ban, which came into effect on July 1, prohibits very large retailers from charging prices that are excessive when compared to the cost of the supply plus a reasonable margin.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s understood only large-scale supermarket chains are subject to these laws, leaving a loophole for a retailer such as WHSmith to continue selling products at prices determined by the company.<\/p>\n

But if the major supermarkets were caught flouting these new price gouging regulations, the maximum penalty per contravention is the greater of: $10 million; three times the value of the benefit derived, or, if that value cannot be determined, 10 per cent of the company\u2019s turnover during the preceding 12 months.<\/p>\n

This is not the first instance of WHSmith facing criticism for its pricing, with travellers having previously voiced concerns over other products deemed unreasonably expensive. <\/p>\n

News.com.au has contacted the Department of Treasury seeking clarification on the regulations that permit WHSmith to charge such rates for its products. <\/p>\n

Both WHSmith and Melbourne Airport have also been approached for comment.<\/p>\n

Read related topics:Melbourne<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A Melbourne Airport retailer is facing a barrage of complaints from travellers over its \u201cpredatory\u201d pricing of 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