Boots was one of the first organisations in the UK to take action in supporting team members through menopause and menstruation.
As early as the 1950s, its Industrial Health Unit produced employee leaflets titled “The change of life: a natural process” – a pioneering step at a time when menopause was rarely discussed. Jump forward to 1999 when Boots emerged as one of the leaders in this space with its “You and the Menopause” campaign and a menopause wellbeing service led by specially trained female pharmacists.
Over more than seven decades, Boots’ commitment has gathered momentum. From the early recognition of menopause as a workplace issue to embedding support into its everyday culture, Boots has shown how historic action can evolve into long-term cultural change.
Supporting team members and customers alike
Boots’ positioning is unique: it is both able and willing to support team members at work and customers in their communities.
With over 52,000 team members and 1,800 stores across the UK, Boots has embedded menopause awareness into its organisational culture while simultaneously offering practical help to millions of customers. This dual focus ensures people feel supported through their menopause journey both at work and at home.
“Cultural change matters – for our team members, for our customers and for the communities we serve.”
Una Kent, VP, ESG and DEI, The Boots Group
As an employer, Boots has consistently strengthened its support for team members including these actions:
- 2022: Becoming the first UK health and beauty retailer to achieve Menopause Friendly Accreditation.
- 2023: Rolling out e-Learning modules for leaders and team members.
- 2024: Introducing free period products in all toilets across stores, warehouses and offices.
- 2025: Recruiting workplace Menopause Champions at Boots Opticians.
These initiatives highlight a culture of awareness, training and everyday support, ensuring menopause is understood and openly addressed in the workplace.
Boots has also led on customer-facing support with highlights including:
- 2022: Launch of Boots and No7 menopausal skincare, creation of a “Menopause Friendly” product symbol and opening a Menopause Hub on boots.com.
- 2023: The release of the menopause&me supplements range, hosted webinars through Boots Online Doctor and pioneered personalised menopause support emails.
- 2024: Partnership with Macmillan and Paralympian Erin Kennedy MBE to raise awareness of cancer treatment–related menopause.
- 2025: Introduction of 35 new menopause products and dedicated menopause zones in over 150 stores.
- By combining products, services and education, Boots empowers customers to manage menopause confidently.
Recognition and awards
In 2022, Boots became the UK’s first health and beauty retailer to achieve the Menopause Friendly Accreditation, a standard it successfully re-accredited in 2025.
The organisation was quick to engage with the inaugural Menopause Friendly Employer Awards in 2022 where it won the Best Engagement Campaign award. The following year, Boots stepped up as a proud sponsor and repeated this commitment in 2024 and 2025.
This year, Boots hosted the Nottingham Menopause & Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards event, further cementing its commitment to celebrating inclusivity and empowering conversations about menopause.
Recognising over 70 years of progress and leadership, earlier this year, Henpicked bestowed upon Boots the prestigious Long-Term Impact Honour in our Menopause Friendly fourth birthday honours.
A story of cultural change
Boots’ story is one of foresight, commitment and cultural transformation, acting early in the 1950s and continuously building momentum. We applaud the team for never standing still and continuing to build their support with menopause awareness firmly embedded in their everyday culture.
