During a time of rising living costs, the people of Britain have resorted to an unexpected cost-cutting measure – they are skipping on soap during bath time. James Lamplugh, the commercial director at Reapp, a data analyst for supermarkets, revealed that the personal health care category has seen a significant drop in sales. This suggests that consumers are cutting back on non-essential products due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. However, hand sanitizer sales have bucked the trend and continue to thrive. Reapp’s analysis shows a 48% decline in soap demand during the first six months of 2023 compared to the previous year, with hand wash sales down 23%.
The average price of a bar of soap has increased by 50%, making it challenging for families to maintain their previous purchasing levels. The phenomenon of skipping on soap is just one aspect of what is known as hygiene poverty, where individuals cannot afford everyday hygiene and personal grooming products. Price increases have affected other hygiene products as well, including toothpaste and shampoo. Ruth Brock, the CEO of the Hygiene Bank, warns that hygiene poverty is a “hidden crisis” that disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable members of society.
The Hygiene Bank, an organization that collaborates with suppliers and volunteers, focuses on donating products to those who cannot afford them. They estimate that 6% of adults are affected by this crisis, rising to 13% in lower-income households. This problem is not unique to Britain – Yahoo Finance Australia reported a similar issue, with a 26% decrease in spending on hair and personal care products.
It is clear that the cost-of-living crisis has forced many individuals and families to make difficult choices when it comes to their hygiene routines. As prices continue to rise, finding affordable solutions for essential products becomes more challenging.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
