SANITARY towel social enterprise Hey Girls is to blanket Waitrose shelves in its first supermarket deal.
The Dunbar-based social enterprise was set up by Celia Hodson to combat period poverty and donates one pack to charities for every one sold.
Until now sales have come from online traffic, but today Waitrose confirmed it will stock the goods in 80 branches.
The deal makes the chain the first retailer to take on the brand.
READ MORE: BMA calls on Government to end 'period poverty'
In January, Hodson told The National the products would "definitely" be on the shelves of major supermarkets within a year.
Today Waitrose buyer Jen Brady said: "Hey Girls’ spirit of giving back to the community is a perfect fit for Waitrose. By selling the products we’re really happy we can make a difference in growing its impact on helping women in period poverty.
“Our customers will be happy to know that when they buy a box of Hey Girls sanitary products a local woman will benefit from a free box.
"It’s a fantastic initiative to help those who need it most.’’
Made from sustainable bamboo and corn fibre, the intimate products were developed in response to growing awareness of period poverty. It is thought that one in 10 girls in the UK struggles to afford tampons and pads, with the sanitary goods industry worth £400 million.
READ MORE: Ministers to roll out free sanitary product trial in Scotland
Hodson said: “If you have to buy period products, you may as well do something good with the cost.
"We set up Hey Girls to provide an alternative shopping experience for those wishing to make a difference with the items they purchase for themselves.
"By ‘buying social’ they are doing good directly via each pack they buy.”
Amika George, of the Free Periods campaign, said: "This is a hugely important milestone in the fight to end period poverty in the UK.
"No girl should ever be missing out on her education because of her period but with Hey Girl's buy one give one scheme, more and more girls will be able to go to school with dignity, confidence and be the very best they can possibly be.”
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