Aldi calls for other supermarkets to offer free period products in store toilets
Aldi is supporting its charity partner Freedom4Girls by calling for more supermarkets to make free period products available in store toilets.
Tina Leslie, founder of Freedom4Girls and Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi UK, have jointly written to the chief executives of major UK supermarkets, calling on them to make free period products available where store facilities allow.
Subscribe to TRBThe move follows an Aldi-commissioned survey of 2,000 UK shoppers that found that 67% believe supermarkets should provide free pads and tampons in customer toilets.
In March 2025, Aldi became the first UK supermarket to offer free period products in all in-store toilets, with customers and colleagues able to take what they need, when they need it, with no code word or loyalty scheme required. Since then, the supermarket has provided one million free period products through its store toilets,.
Ashfield said: “Access to period products should be a basic right, not a privilege. That is why we made free period products available in our store toilets for customers and colleagues, with no questions asked.
“The latest research shows shoppers support supermarkets making period products more accessible. Together with Freedom4Girls, we’ve written to the chief executives of other major UK supermarkets, encouraging them to consider introducing free period products where facilities allow.
“This is a simple, practical step that could make a real difference to customers and colleagues across the country. These products are essential, and we believe making them freely available is the right thing to do.”
Leslie added: “Period poverty remains a huge issue in the UK, and we’re encouraged to see Aldi continuing to use its platform to push for wider change.
“Providing free period products in supermarket toilets is a practical way to help people access what they need discreetly and with dignity. We would welcome more retailers taking similar action to help tackle stigma, affordability and access.”
