Major supermarket becomes first to dish out FREE period products to shoppers from today
A MAJOR supermarket has just launched a new scheme to give out free period products to shoppers in all stores.
From today, Aldi will be providing free sanitary products in 70% of its 1,050 store toilets.
It plans to roll out the initiative to all of its stores by the end of May.
Aldi partnered with the menstrual equity charity, Bloody Good Period, and is donating over one million sanitary products to help tackle period poverty.
Aldi’s 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.”
Aldi is the first supermarket to give out the products in every store and to both staff and customers, however, other supermarkets have brought in similar initiatives in the past.
In August 2021 Lidl Belfast began offering customers a free box of sanitary pads or tampons each month.
All customers had to do was register for the Period Product Support Programme.
Meanwhile, Lidl Northern Ireland began donating sanitary wear to people experiencing homelessness.
In 2022 Morrisons launched its “Ask for Sandy” initiative allowing customers to discreetly access sanitary products from selected stores.
Shoppers were able to go to the customer service desk and ask for a package that Sandy has left for you.
They were then given a free discreet envelope with everything needed.
How to save money on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
How to get help with the cost of period products
Downshifting from branded products to supermarket own-brand products will help you make savings.
An average pack of Tampax will cost you £2.00, while an own-brand tampon will cost just £1.30, a saving of nearly £1.
Use a sanitary wear comparison app like Sanitary Saver to compare the costs between supermarkets.
Look out for free samples, vouchers and coupons to help reduce the cost.
There are a number of charities that can provide free sanitary products.
Hey Girls, Period Poverty UK and The Hygiene Bank all work towards ensuring those who need help receive what they need.
Many food banks have sanitary pads and tampons available at a reduced cost.
Meanwhile, Aldi isn’t the only supermarket to give out free essentials to shoppers, Boots also gives away free items for new parents including nappies if you have an advantage card.
Plus, a budgeting expert has revealed seven easy ways to get freebies worth hundreds of pounds from food to kids’ essentials.
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