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FAMILIES SPEND £50 PER CHILD OVER SUMMER HOLIDAYS ON 99 ICE CREAMS
31 July, 2026
More than half of parents say they are shocked by how much classic summer treats now cost, with families shelling out an average of more than £50 per child on ice creams over the six-week school break.
The research of 2,000 parents, conducted by supermarket Aldi, highlighted how the price of the humble 99 ice cream has changed, with 85 per cent agreeing that paying 99p for a cone is a thing of the past.
Parents pay £2.65 on average for a 99 ice cream on days out, with one in 10 spending £4 or more on a single cone. Leeds averages £2.86 per ice cream, followed by London at £2.82, and Bristol and Manchester at £2.80.
The research also revealed that the six-week summer break is expected to cost families an additional £200 on average compared with term time, and an extra £49 on weekly grocery bills.
Parents anticipate spending an average of £134 on eating out, £132 on day trips and £105 on holiday clubs across the summer, with even at-home activities such as arts and crafts setting families back £70 over the traditional six-week break.
The findings help explain why a third of parents say they worry about how much the summer holidays will cost, with 30 per cent budgeting in advance – with 21 per cent starting as early as January.
Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said: “Summer holidays are becoming increasingly expensive for families, with the cost of everyday treats and activities quickly adding up.
“With so many families budgeting months in advance and worrying about costs, it’s never been more important that everyday essentials and family favourites remain affordable.
“That’s why we’re committed to keeping prices low on popular summer products as we know it can make a real difference, helping families enjoy the holiday period without having to compromise on the moments that matter most.”
To help support families through the school holidays, Aldi has made further price cuts to more than 300 family favourites as part of its wider £300 million investment to lower prices on more than 1,000 products this year.
Aldi has also launched a Summer Support Scheme, giving away £50 shops to families every day throughout July and August.
The research also found that 38 per cent of parents want to give their children the best summer possible but feel limited by what they can afford.
The top family excursions during the summer holidays include trips to the beach (68 per cent), the cinema (56 per cent) and the zoo (44 per cent), according to the OnePoll research.
ENDS
Research carried out in July 2026 by OnePoll on a sample of 2,000 parents of children aged four to 16.
For more information, please contact the Aldi Press Office on:
T: 0161 235 0300 or aldi@citypress.co.uk
Business news
ALDI BACKS CHARITY CALL FOR SUPERMARKETS TO MAKE FREE PERIOD PRODUCTS AVAILABLE IN STORE TOILETS
13 August, 2026- New Aldi-commissioned research reveals 67% of shoppers think supermarkets should provide free period products in customer toilets
- Three quarters (75%) say free period products should be as readily available in supermarket toilets as toilet paper and soap
- Aldi is backing charity partner Freedom4Girls’ call for other major UK supermarkets to make free period products available in store toilets where facilities allow.
Aldi is supporting its charity partner, Freedom4Girls, in calling for more supermarkets to make free period products available in store toilets, as new research reveals shoppers support supermarkets providing free access to essential period products.
Tina Leslie MBE, 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.
The Aldi-commissioned survey of 2,000 UK shoppers found that 67% believe supermarkets should provide free pads and tampons in customer toilets, while 67% say they would be more likely to view a supermarket positively if it offered the service.
The research also found that three quarters (75%) of shoppers think period products should be treated as an everyday bathroom essential, just like toilet paper and soap, while 66% say supermarkets have an important role to play in supporting people who may struggle to access or afford them.
It comes after Aldi became the first UK supermarket to offer free period products in all customer and colleague toilets, with customers and colleagues able to take what they need, when they need it – no code word or loyalty scheme needed.
Since launching the initiative in March 2025, Aldi has provided one million free period products through its store toilets, helping to make everyday essentials such as tampons and pads more accessible to everyone who needs them.
Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, 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."
Tina Leslie MBE, Founder of Freedom4Girls, a menstrual equity charity dedicated to tackling period poverty, said: "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."
The findings also suggest that free period products in supermarket toilets would help tackle a range of barriers, with 69% of shoppers saying the provision would help people who unexpectedly come on their period while away from home, 58% saying it would help those who cannot afford products when they need them, and 48% saying it would reduce embarrassment around asking for or buying period products.
When asked where free period products should be made available, 56% of shoppers selected supermarket customer toilets, ahead of shopping centres, transport hubs and leisure centres.
62% also said they would expect large supermarkets to provide free period products in customer toilets, while just over half (51%) said they would be more likely to shop with a retailer that made period products freely available in-store.
Among those who have or have ever had a period, 53% said they had been caught short without period products while shopping or away from home, while 93% said they had used toilet roll, tissue or another alternative because they did not have a product available.
Aldi’s in-store provision forms part of its wider commitment to supporting communities and improving access to everyday essentials. The supermarket 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, with items distributed to food banks and charitable organisations via its community partner Neighbourly.
ENDS
*Research carried out in July 2026 by OnePoll among a sample of 2,000 UK shoppers.
