Lidl to be ‘first major retailer in the world’ offering free period products

Lidl Ireland will offer free menstrual products to women and girls as part of a new initiative targeting period poverty.

The grocery giant said in a statement Monday that it’s the world’s first major retailer to offer such an initiative, which is aimed at tackling period poverty, where girls or women are unable to afford menstrual products.

Eligible customers in the Republic of Ireland will be offered a coupon for a free box of pads or tampons each month, starting May 3, through the Lidl Plus app.

Lidl has more than 11,200 stores in 29 countries. A spokesperson for Lidl Ireland said that the initiative is limited to its 168 stores in the Republic of Ireland.

The grocery company said it will also make quarterly donations of menstrual products to homelessness charity The Simon Communities to ensure people experiencing homelessness, and who may not have access to a smartphone, can access them.

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Boxes of sanitary pads or tampons will be available through Lidl Plus app.

Announcing the move in a statement on Twitter this morning, Lidl’s Irish account @lidl_ireland wrote: “We’re proud to announce that we are the first major retailer in the world to offer free period products in stores nationwide to combat period poverty in partnership with Homeless Period Ireland.

“A Plan International study on young females in Ireland found that almost 50 per cent of girls aged between 12 and 19 found it difficult to pay for sanitary products.

“Our new initiative means those in need will be able to claim a dedicated coupon for a free box of sanitary pads or tampons per customer each month through the Lidl Plus app.

“We are also committing to quarterly donations of these products to The Simon Communities to ensure people experiencing homelessness – who may not have access to a smartphone – can access essential products.”

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