Tesco teams up with In Kind Direct to tackle hygiene poverty

Tesco has again joined forces with its suppliers of well-known household brands such as Andrex, Aquafresh, Bodyform, Radox, Sure, and Wilkinson Sword to help distribute millions of personal care items to people who are in need.

From now until 11th June, for every two purchases by Tesco customers from a selection of essential hygiene products, its suppliers will donate a third hygiene item directly to charity, In Kind Direct.

Last autumn, Tesco teamed up with its suppliers to address rising levels of need and over two million products have already been donated as part of the campaign.

Participating in the campaign again are Unilever, Essity, Haleon, Kimberly-Clark and they are joined by a new partner, Edgewell.

These products will be distributed by In Kind Direct, which works with thousands of charities, community groups, food banks, and schools across the UK to get much-needed hygiene products into the hands of people who need them.

Recent research commissioned by Essity in partnership with Tesco and In Kind Direct has illustrated how people are currently experiencing hygiene poverty.

Families are often impacted, and this survey revealed that 13% of people in the East of England have gone without hygiene products such as shampoo or deodorant.

The survey also found that in the East of England, those who have struggled to buy hygiene products during the last year have had to borrow from friends or family (27%), use free products in public areas (27%), or received items from a charity (9%).

Rosanne Gray, CEO at In Kind Direct, said: “Many people experiencing hygiene poverty face the impossible decision to heat, eat or keep clean daily, and unfortunately more and more people are being pushed into this position.

“We know hygiene poverty disproportionately affects those already struggling, but the research shows that financial difficulties are now impacting everyone.

“The ripple effect impacts mental health, workplace productivity, and school attendance – it’s something that requires collective action which is why we’ve formed this partnership with Tesco and some of our committed corporate partners to help reduce hygiene poverty in the UK."

Thomas Maier, Category Buying Manager for Beauty, and Personal Care at Tesco added: “This new research highlights how the number of families being impacted by hygiene poverty has grown in recent years. That is why the work done by In Kind Direct to help people is so important and we are really pleased to be working again with our suppliers to provide hygiene products where they are needed most.”

The campaign is running in Tesco superstores across the United Kingdom until Tuesday 11th June.