Tesco has reduced the price of their women’s disposable razors to match the price of men’s. Previously, they were charging £1 for five women’s razors whilst the same quantity for men would cost 50p.

Last year, a Times investigation showed that women payed on average 37 per cent more for gender targeted items – like razors, toys, and beauty products. The results mirrored those of a 2012 study by Development Economics for insurer Aviva which found that women were paying an extra £200 annually for identical goods and services. Despite the gender pay gap that still sees women earning up to 20 per cent less than men for doing the same jobs.

Labour backbencher, Paula Sherriff, encouraged Tesco to reduce the price of their women’s razors in line with the men’s versions. She also asked Boots to trial donation boxes for customers to leave sanitary products to go to food banks.

The Guardian has published sections from a letter sent to Sherriff by Kari Daniels, Tesco’s commercial director for packaged products. In it Daniels said: “In the instance of our twin-blade razors, the difference is driven by the fact that male razors are produced and sold in significantly higher volumes, which reduces the price we pay for them.

“However, following an internal review and discussions with our suppliers, we have acted on concerns about the difference in price of our female and male disposable twin-blade razors, in line with our commitment to ensure consistently low, simple and affordable pricing.

“We have aligned the prices of these products so that the male and female razors are the same price per unit. We have done this by reducing the cost of the women’s razors and keeping the cost of the men’s razors the same.”

Former NHS worker Sherriff commented: “This is a welcome step from Tesco, and I hope other companies will identify and correct similar disparities. The government has refused to act on gender pricing so we have had to take a lead. I’d encourage anyone who sees examples to get in touch and I’ll take it up.”

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