John Lewis & Waitrose say pants to the tax: they have become the latest retailers to back industry-wide campaign to reduce the price of period knickers and absorb the 20% VAT charge for its customers – as part of efforts to make period products affordable for all.
John Lewis & Partners Cheltenham Experience Desk
Tampon Tax – a tax on sanitary towels and tampons – was abolished in 2021, yet period knickers (a reusable alternative to single-use sanitary products) are still subject to the charge.
- John Lewis and Waitrose to reduce the price of period knickers by 20%
- Move aims to reduce period poverty and make period products more affordable
- A pack of bestselling Love Luna period pants at John Lewis will reduce from £10 to £8.33
In their bid to make these products more accessible, the group is lowering the price on more than 30 period knickers at both John Lewis and Waitrose by 20% and absorbing the cost of the tax ourselves.
Nicki Baggott, Sanitary Products Buyer for Waitrose, said: “It’s a no-brainer that period underwear should be classed as a period product., It’s the right thing to do, and will help our customers save money on everyday essentials.”
Jo McKee, Lingerie Buyer for John Lewis, adds:
We’re known for offering great-quality underwear at affordable prices to our customers. We feel it’s the right thing to abolish this tax on period underwear, to make these essential products as accessible as possible.”
A report published yesterday* estimated that the value worldwide for reusable period pants is destined to increase to $366 million by 2030 (approx £290 sterling) expanding at a rate of 17.7% (compund growth rate). This surge is attributed to heightened awareness surrounding menstrual hygiene and demand for environmentally friendly products across the globe. At present the North American market has nearly 50% of revenue from this sector with Asia Pacific to emerge as a high-growth region between now and 2030.
*Reusable Period Panties 2023-2030 ResearchandMarkets.com
