Digital Media Centre

NEW RESEARCH REVEALS STIGMA OF BUYING PERIOD PRODUCTS

14 May, 2026

Almost a third (29%) of women and girls who have or have ever had a period feel embarrassed buying period products in store*, a survey of 1,000 found.

The research, which was commissioned by Aldi, revealed that shame runs deep, with 44% of those that feel embarrassed having deliberately used self-checkouts to avoid being seen, while more than one in three (34%) have asked someone else to buy products for them, rising to 47% among children aged 12 to 17.

Almost a quarter (24%) of high-school aged girls have struggled to afford or have access to period products.

The impact is significant. Across all age groups, nearly half (49%) say they have resorted to unsafe alternatives such as toilet roll or tissue, while 29% have worn products for longer than recommended.

Most strikingly, 26% have missed work or school activities as a result.

The findings, from research commissioned by Aldi ahead of Period Poverty Awareness Week (11^th – 17^th May), reveal how stigma and affordability continue to create barriers to accessing period products, reinforcing Aldi’s commitment to ensuring customers and colleagues can get the products they need easily and discreetly.

Over the past year, Aldi has provided 1.4 million free period products, with customers and colleagues able to take what they need, when they need it in-store – no code word or loyalty scheme needed.

Launched in March 2025, the initiative was introduced to help ensure that essential items such as tampons and pads are accessible to everyone who needs them.

Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said: “We believe that access to period products is a basic right, not a privilege and we know that period poverty is still a very real issue for many across the UK. That’s why we took the step to make free period products available in all our store toilets – for both our customers and colleagues.

“This latest research really highlights the ongoing issues of stigma and affordability, and that’s why one year on, we continue to play our part in helping remove the barriers that some face when accessing period products.”

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’s continued commitment to tackling it. This research demonstrates what we see every day in the communities we support – stigma and cost create real barriers that affect work, school, and health. We’re calling on other retailers to follow Aldi’s lead and help remove these obstacles.”

The move to provide free period products in customer and colleague toilets forms part of Aldi’s wider commitment to supporting communities and ensuring access to everyday essentials. Aldi recently donated one million period products to those experiencing period poverty through its partnership with charities such as Freedom4Girls.

Aldi customers are also able to donate period products using Aldi’s in-store donation points, with products being distributed to foodbanks and other charitable organisations via its community partner Neighbourly.

ENDS  

*Research carried out in April 2026 by OnePoll on a sample of 1,000 women and girls who have or have ever had a period aged 12 and above who have/ever had a period