A Manchester Christmas Market trip turned into a shocker for one visitor when her daughter’s pick and mix sweets racked up a bill of £14.34.
Journalist Emma Gill was taken aback by the price at the Kingdom of Sweets stall, she recounted to the Manchester Evening News.
She said: “We all deserve a treat now and then, but I was staggered when I saw the total.”
“I watched what my daughter was adding to the bag and thought we’d be fine. I didn’t realise £3.29 per 100g adds up so fast.”
She continued, expressing her regret: “I didn’t want to ask to return some once she’d put them in the bag and I should have realised that the sign, advertising that it Is £3.29 per 100g, is a damn sight more than you’ll typically pay for sweets.”
To put it into perspective, a standard 175g bag of Haribo from supermarkets like Aldi or Tesco is priced at around £1.25, which works out at approximately 71p per 100g, making the market’s offerings nearly four times the cost.
Meat lovers are also facing a steep increase for savoury treats, with £9.50 sausages feeling quite pricey.
The Berlin currywurst at the renowned Witch House stall has seen a £1.50 increase from last year’s £8, and a jumbo piggy wrap at Porky Pig will set you back the same amount, marking a £1 rise from the previous year, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Emma also shared her experience, saying: “We sampled roast pork barms with stuffing, costing £9 each at Porkys Bar and Grill. They were delicious and they weren’t shy with the filling, but £18 still felt a bit much for two barms.”
“You could probably just about justify it, given how tasty and filling they were. I’m not sure I can say the same about the sweets.”
Manchester City Council has clarified that it doesn’t set the prices on the stalls, stating that ‘traders do this themselves based on their overheads, along with the quality and uniqueness of what they’re selling’.
Cllr Pat Karney, the council’s Christmas spokesperson, said: “We’re always happy to check out any complaints brought to us however we don’t set the prices on our market stalls.
“Prices are set by stallholders themselves who at the end of the day are subject to the same market forces as any other retailer – if what they’re selling is too expensive, people won’t buy their products.”
Kingdom of Sweets has previously defended its pricing, stating that costs are comparable to other premium locations. “Our prices are clearly displayed per 100g, and staff are trained to assist customers in adjusting their selections if needed,” a spokesperson said.
The Manchester Evening News has contacted the company for comment regarding the recent incident.
