Aldi to offer free period products to customers and colleagues

Aldi’s making history as the first UK supermarket to offer free period products in its toilets, both for customers and colleagues.  

By the end of May, every Aldi store in the UK will have free pads and tampons available in its public and office toilets. This is thanks to a new partnership with Bloody Good Period, a charity working to end period poverty.  

“Customers and colleagues will be able to take what they need, when they need it—no questions asked,” says Aldi.  

Why’s Aldi doing this? 

The supermarket’s decision comes after research showed that 41% of people in the UK struggle to afford period products and 30% are forced to choose between period products and other necessities like food or clothing.  

The research also found that the average person spends £120 a year on period products and that's just for the basics, not including pain relief or clothing. 

Without access to these essentials, some people resort to using items like old clothes, toilet paper or kitchen roll, which can lead to embarrassment and exclusion from daily activities like school, work or social events. 

Julie Ashfield, Aldi UK’s chief commercial officer, says: "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.”