Aldi has introduced free access to pads and tampons in its in-store toilets across the country, in a UK supermarket first.

As of today (18 March), 70% of Aldi’s in-store toilets will be fitted with fixtures providing free period products, with the complete rollout to all in-store toilets to be completed by the end of May 2025.

Alongside this initiative, the discounter has also teamed up with menstrual equity charity Bloody Good Period, to donate over one million period products to support the charity’s fight against period poverty.

The news follows research conducted by Aldi that showed the annual cost of having a period is estimated to be £128 per person, with over a fifth (21%) of people who menstruate reporting to be struggling with their financial situation.

The data also showed a third of Brits (30%) are being faced with the decision of whether to buy period products or choose other essential items.

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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.”

Bloody Good Period CEO Rachel Grocott added: “Period poverty is one of the most overlooked crises in the UK today, and it goes far beyond the inability to afford products—it’s about the dignity, health, and wellbeing of millions of people.

“At Bloody Good Period, we see firsthand how these choices between food and period products, or between shame and asking for help are devastating lives. This partnership with Aldi marks an important step towards addressing period poverty on a national scale, and we hope it inspires others to take action. Access to period products is not a luxury; it’s a basic human right.”