Aldi has confirmed that free period items will be available to shoppers in all of its UK stores during the school holidays. Shoppers can access essential items, including tampons and pads, free of charge in all Aldi store toilets throughout the summer, when availability to such products may be more restricted for some.
Scotland vs England: Different Access to Free Period Products
In Scotland, free period products are required to be made available year-round through a wider network of public venues, including libraries, community hubs and council buildings, as well as places of study. But in England, period products are not universally free for everyone, except in specific public settings like schools and colleges. As such, students in England may have reduced access to free period products during the school holidays when many education settings that provide them are closed for the summer.
Research Highlights Scale of Period Poverty
Aldi-commissioned research found that almost a quarter (24%) of secondary school-aged girls have struggled to afford or access period products, while almost half (49%) said they had resorted to unsafe alternatives such as toilet roll or tissue. Research also found that 29% had worn products for longer than recommended and more than a quarter (26%) said they had missed school activities as a result.
Aldi's Commitment and Call to Action
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."
Impact and Partnerships
Aldi said it has provided more than 1.4 million free period products over the past year, with customers and colleagues able to take what they need from in-store toilets, no questions asked. The initiative launched in March 2025 to help make essential items such as tampons and pads more accessible to those who need them. The in-store provision forms part of Aldi's wider commitment to supporting communities and improving access to everyday essentials. The retailer has also donated one million period products to people experiencing period poverty through partnerships with charities including Freedom4Girls. Customers can also help out by donating period products through Aldi's in-store donation points, with items distributed to food banks and other charitable organisations via its community partner Neighbourly.
Tina Leslie MBE, Founder of Freedom4Girls, added: "Period poverty remains a huge issue in the UK, and we're encouraged to see Aldi's continued commitment to tackling it. We want to see more public places, including other retailers, step up and follow Aldi's lead to help more people in need."
