Tesco has made a pledge to help tackle hygiene poverty in partnership with its suppliers and charity In Kind Direct.
The supermarket giant is working with household brands like Andrex, Aquafresh, Bodyform, Radox, Sure and Wilkinson Sword to distribute millions of personal care items to those in need.
From now until June 11, for every two purchases by Tesco customers from a selection of essential hygiene products, its suppliers will donate a third hygiene item directly to In Kind Direct. This follows a successful campaign last autumn where over two million products were donated.
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Unilever, Essity, Haleon, Kimberly-Clark are participating again, joined by new partner Edgewell. These products will be distributed by In Kind Direct to charities, community groups, foodbanks and schools across the UK.
Recent research commissioned by Essity in partnership with Tesco and In Kind Direct highlighted the extent of hygiene poverty, revealing that 38% of Liverpool households with dependents have struggled to afford basic hygiene products such as shampoo or deodorant.
The study also revealed that in Merseyside, those who have struggled to buy hygiene products over the past year have had to borrow from friends or family (38%), received items from a foodbank (13%), and avoid leaving the house (50%).
Rosanne Gray, CEO at In Kind Direct, commented: "Many people experiencing hygiene poverty face the impossible decision to heat, eat or keep clean on a daily basis, 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 June 11.
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