A mother was left astonished after being charged an exorbitant amount for a small bag of pick and mix at a Christmas market. Emma Gill, the Parents Editor at Manchester Evening News, shared her experience of visiting the festive market in the city over the weekend. She allowed her daughter to select a few sweets from the Kingdom of Sweets stall while carefully monitoring the choices. Despite her vigilance, she was surprised to discover that the small selection added up to a whopping £14.34. The stall was situated at the top end of Market Street, near Piccadilly Gardens where they had eaten earlier.
In a piece for MEN, Emma Gill expressed her shock at the unexpected cost, stating that while pick and mix treats are not expected to be cheap, they should still be an occasional indulgence for everyone. She admitted to watching her daughter’s selections closely due to the rapid escalation of costs that can occur. Despite this, she was taken aback by the final price. She also noted that the advertised price of £3.29 per 100g was significantly higher than the usual price for sweets. Comparing the cost with popular alternatives, she highlighted that a 175g bag of Haribo costs £1.25 at Aldi or Tesco, making it approximately four times cheaper at around 71p per 100g.
This incident is not the first time the Manchester Christmas Markets have faced scrutiny over prices. Previously, it was reported that shoppers were paying £9.50 for the most expensive meat sausages at the market. The prices of items like Berlin currywurst and jumbo piggy wraps have also seen significant increases. Manchester City Council clarified that they do not control the prices at the stalls, as traders determine their prices based on overheads and product uniqueness. Cllr Pat Karney, the council’s Christmas spokesperson, highlighted that stallholders set their own prices based on market demand.
When asked about their pricing policy, Kingdom of Sweets mentioned that their prices are clearly displayed and comparable to other premium retailers. They stated that their staff are trained to assist customers in adjusting their selections to manage the final price. Following the recent incident, Kingdom of Sweets has been contacted for comment.
In conclusion, the episode serves as a cautionary tale for consumers to be aware of pricing discrepancies and to make informed choices while indulging in festive treats at markets. It also highlights the importance of transparency in pricing and the need for market traders to ensure fair pricing practices to maintain customer satisfaction and trust.