In a significant move, Waitrose, along with John Lewis, backs the initiative to eliminate VAT on period pants.
- The retailer joins M&S in advocating for government intervention to remove a 20% VAT tax on period pants.
- Currently, disposable products are exempt, but period pants are classified as garments and taxed.
- Waitrose has taken a proactive approach, covering VAT costs for over 30 period underwear products.
- Sainsbury’s recently pledged support, pushing for VAT reduction and passing savings on to consumers.
In a step that underscores a growing movement for tax equity in essential women’s products, Waitrose, in tandem with John Lewis, has thrown its support behind a campaign led by another major retailer, M&S. This initiative calls on the government to reevaluate the 20% Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on period pants, categorizing them as garments, unlike disposable period products such as pads and tampons, which are exempt from VAT under the current laws.
By covering the VAT cost on over 30 of its period underwear products, Waitrose is not only aligning itself with Tesco and M&S’s actions but is also setting an example for other retailers. According to Nicki Baggott, Waitrose’s sanitary products buyer, this decision is a clear acknowledgment that period underwear should indeed be considered a period product. Baggott states, “It’s the right thing to do, and will help our customers save money on everyday essentials.”
The campaign, named ‘Say Pants to the Tax,’ has marked progress, with the government, for the first time, reviewing the taxation status of period pants. This review has instilled optimism among supporters and participants of the campaign, highlighting a potential reduction in the financial burden on individuals who opt for reusable period products.
Sainsbury’s, another leading supermarket chain, has also pledged its support for the campaign. It has committed to passing any savings from potential VAT reductions directly to customers, thus reinforcing the retail sector’s unified stance on this issue. This collective effort from prominent retailers is not just about tax reduction; it reflects a broader commitment to affordability and accessibility of essential health products for women.
The collaboration among major retailers emphasizes the need to eliminate the VAT on period pants, aiming for greater affordability and fairness.
