Tesco has undertaken a significant initiative to make period pants more affordable by covering the cost of VAT.
- The supermarket’s decision aligns period pants with other products that have been VAT exempt since 2021.
- This change affects all eight lines of Tesco’s F&F period pants, reducing prices by 20%.
- The move is part of Tesco’s participation in the ‘Say Pants to the Tax’ campaign.
- Tesco has a history of supporting consumers by previously covering VAT on other period products.
Tesco has announced a groundbreaking measure to enhance the affordability of period pants by removing the VAT charge. This step is part of a broader strategy to align the pricing of period pants with other essential sanitary products that have enjoyed VAT exemption since 2021, providing equitable pricing for all.
Effective from 21 August, Tesco has lowered the prices across all eight lines of its own brand F&F period pants. This adjustment results in a significant 20% price reduction, with a three-pack now retailing at £14.50, down from £18, and a single pack dropping from £7.50 to £6.
The timing of this initiative coincides with Tesco’s participation in the ‘Say Pants to the Tax’ campaign, a movement advocating for the reclassification of period pants as sanitary products, thus making them eligible for VAT exemption. This campaign seeks to influence government policy, aligning it more closely with consumer needs and sustainability goals.
Christine Heffernan, Tesco’s Group Communications Director, commented on the initiative, emphasising Tesco’s commitment to making essential products more accessible. She remarked, “We know that the cost of buying essential period products can be a real struggle for many people and we want to do our bit to help by covering the cost of VAT on period pants, helping to make this more sustainable option more affordable for customers.”
Tesco’s current initiative follows its 2017 decision to absorb VAT on nearly 100 own-label and branded tampons and sanitary products, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to supporting its customers by reducing the economic burden of purchasing necessary health products.
Tesco’s actions exemplify a proactive approach to consumer support, potentially setting a precedent for other retailers.
