Tesco's Exmouth partners with top brands to fight hygiene poverty

A giant superstore in Exmouth has launched a campaign to tackle hygiene poverty.

Roping in household brands like Radox, Sure, Bodyform, and Aquafresh, Exmouth Tesco Superstore aims to distribute millions of personal care products to those in need.

Every two purchases from a selection of hygiene products by customers at the store will trigger the donation of a third hygiene item by its suppliers directly to the In Kind Direct charity.

The campaign will run until June 11.

Companies like Unilever, Essity, Haleon, Kimberly-Clark, and Edgewell are backing the campaign, with In Kind Direct distributing these hygiene products through charities, community groups, foodbanks and schools.

Research commissioned by Essity, in partnership with Tesco and In Kind Direct, uncovered how people in Exmouth are experiencing hygiene poverty.

The survey revealed that 21 percent of households with dependents in the region had to go without essentials like shampoo or deodorant.

People across the region who have struggled to buy hygiene products in the last year have had to borrow from friends or family (29 percent) or use free products in public areas (29 percent).

Rosanne Gray, chief executive officer at In Kind Direct, said: "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.”

Thomas Maier, category buying manager for Beauty and Personal Care at Tesco, said: "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."