WHSmith has apologised to customers after a computer error caused the prices of toiletries to jump almost 800 per cent.
Last week it was revealed that various items including nappies, mouthwash and toothpaste were being sold at significantly inflated prices, with the latter hitting £7.99.
The retailer, which currently trades in 129 hospitals across the country, said on Saturday that the price hikes were due to a technical glitch and had now been fixed, adding that it would donate all extra cash it has made to charity.
“We would like to apologise to our customers for a small number of recent pricing errors in our system,” a WHSmith spokesman said.
“The errors have now been rectified and the extra profits from these sales will be donated to charity.
“Prices in our hospital stores are the same as our high street stores.”
Chief executive of the Patients Association Rachel Power told The Telegraph: “When people are unwell and in hospital, and therefore unable to go elsewhere with any ease, they should be able to expect retailers not to exploit their situation for profit.”
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