Supermarket Tesco has launched a scheme to help those struggling with the cost of living crisis, specifically for those who can't afford sanitary products.
The retailer is encouraging any shoppers who need products like pads and tampons to ask for a "white envelope", at the customer service desk and workers will give them for free with "no questions asked". In Scotland, period products are supplied for free in public spaces as part of the period products (Free Provision) Act, but Tesco's scheme is offered in branches across the UK.
Customers have spotted the same sign placed in Tesco's bathrooms, which says: "To combat period poverty, Tesco want to ensure everyone has access to sanitary products.
"If you are in need, please go to the customer service desk and ask for a white envelope. No questions will be asked."
To find out if the scheme is authentic, one person enquired with Tesco's official Twitter. "Is this true about asking for a "White envelope" For Sanitary products?," asked user Niall Nash.
As reported by Manchester Evening News, Tesco replied: "Hi Niall, thanks for getting in touch. To answer your question, yes this is correct, all a customer needs to do is to ask at our customer services and there will be no questions asked, it's in a effort to tackle period poverty as they are given free of charge. TY - Ian."
Posting on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group, shopper Lauren Buckley shared a picture of one of the signs in her local Tesco supermarket. She wrote: "Not necessarily a bargain, because period products should be free anyway.
"But I saw this on the back of the toilet door in Tesco."
In response, Susan Farrow pointed out: "Morrisons do it too you ask for a package for Sandy." Natasha Cross said: "I agree they should be free."
Margaret Fraser praised: "Well done Tesco." Richie Crane said: "That’s bloody brilliant."
Posting a comment under a separate Facebook post about the same initiative, Niall Love said: "I'm going to tweet other supermarkets asking why they haven't introduced this initiative." Tracey Baker said: "I'd happily go and ask if I was desperate."
Susan Brew said: "As long as all staff are aware of this then I can not see a problem, I would rather ask for a white envelope than come through my clothes."
Kelly Booth wrote: "At the end of the day all period stuff should be free full stop. We don't ask to have periods so why should we have to pay for them."
According to a 2022 Action Aid survey, around one in eight women -12 per cent- in the UK struggle with period poverty. However, almost a year later, this number is expected to be a lot higher due to the cost of living crisis.
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