Aldi becomes first UK supermarket to provide free in-store period products

Aldi has become the first UK supermarket to provide free period products to its in-store toilets, following research from the retailer revealing the extent of period poverty across Britain.

Customers will be able to take what they need from the toilets, with the products rolled out from today in 70% of its facilities.

The full rollout of to all of Aldi’s toilets is to be completed by the end of May, according to the discounter.

It comes as research from the retailer found 1 in 3 of those who menstruate admitted they were unable to afford period products, while 15% said this was “very often” or “always” the case.

The research found 30% were having to choose between period products and other everyday essentials, such as food and clothing or paying household bills.

Additionally, the grocer has partnered with menstrual equity charity Bloody Good Period to donate over 1m period products to support the charity’s battle against period poverty.

Aldi UK chief commercial officer Julie Ashfield said: “We never want our customers to have to choose between buying the period products they need and feeding themselves or their families.

“For millions of people across the country, having access to period products is a basic and essential need, and we believe the provision of these in public toilets is as vital as toilet paper and soap.

“We are proud to announce our toilets will have pads and tampons freely available for anyone who needs them.”

She added: “As well as providing for our customers, we are delighted to be partnering with leading charity, Bloody Good Period, who are doing groundbreaking work in the menstrual equity space.

“Our donation of 1 million period products to Bloody Good Period will help to ensure that people are getting the products they need every month.”

The news comes after the German discounter launched a support fund for cash-strapped new parents earlier this month, as nearly two-thirds admitted the financial burden of having a child was greater than anticipated.

In February, the supermarket also revealed that it had raised £11m for Teenage Cancer Trust since partnering with the charity in 2017.

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