Women and girls have been reminded of the offer in all branches of the supermarket
Aldi shoppers have been reminded of a free option available to all women and girls in Aldi toilets across the UK this summer. It comes as schools and colleges prepare to close for the summer holidays through July and August.
Research commissioned by the discount supermarket found that almost a quarter (24%) of secondary school-aged girls have struggled to afford or access period products. Nearly half (49%) said they had resorted to unsafe alternatives such as toilet roll or tissue, while 29% had worn products for longer than recommended.
Women and girls have been reminded that free period products are available in the toilets at Aldi stores across the UK as standard. It comes as students in England and Wales may have reduced access to free period products during the holidays, when many education settings that provide them are closed.
In Scotland, where most schools already closed for the summer earlier this month, places are required to offer free period products year-round through a wider network of public venues. This can include libraries, community hubs, council buildings, and places of study.
Beyond Aldi’s in-store offerings, the Welsh Government provides widespread access to menstrual products. Through the Period Dignity in Wales scheme, free products are widely available in local community hubs, leisure centres, libraries, and GP surgeries
Over the past year, Aldi says it has provided more than 1.4 million free period products, with customers and colleagues able to take what they need with no questions asked. The products are kept in designated holders or baskets inside the store’s customer toilets, allowing people to access them in complete privacy.
If the stock is empty, you can ask any member of staff or go to the customer service desk to let them know the products need to be refilled. You do not need to explain why you need them, just a simple “the free period products in the toilet are empty” is enough.
Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi UK, said: “Access to period products should be a basic right, not a privilege. Period poverty remains a very real issue for many people across the UK, which is why we’ve made free period products available in all our store toilets for customers and colleagues.
“As schools and colleges close for the holidays, some students may lose access to the free products they rely on. We want people to know they can visit their local Aldi and take what they need, no questions asked. We’d also encourage other retailers to help make free period products more widely available, particularly during the school holidays.”
The in-store free items are part of Aldi’s wider commitment to supporting communities and improving access to everyday essentials. Aldi has also donated one million period products to people experiencing period poverty through partnerships with charities, including Freedom4Girls.
Customers can also donate period products through Aldi’s in-store donation points. Items are distributed to food banks and other charitable organisations via its community partner Neighbourly.
