UK women are paying 26% more than men for summer essentials, research finds

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jul 27, 2018

As the heatwave continues to sweep across the UK, new research has exposed an ‘enormous’ disparity between the cost of swimwear for men and women.

Retailer Showerstoyou.co.uk conducted a survey of 1,300 Britons to determine the exact essentials men and women need for a day waterside, and carried out a comparative study of their prices to find out just how much prices can vary.

The list of summer essentials included swimwear, beach cover-up or vest, sliders, bum bag, hat, inflatable and sunglasses.

The results revealed that women pay on average 26% more for basic poolside attire than men, spending an extra £40. Clothing shows the biggest disparity in price, with basic bikinis costing almost two times more than a basic pair of swim shorts. A plain beach cover-up for women is an extra cost of £7.80 compared to a beach-ready vest for men, and women’s sliders are sold for £3.60 more than men’s.

However, the study admitted that the intricate handiwork and embellishments that often appear in women’s clothing can drive prices up.

Martin Smith, managing director of Showerstoyou.co.uk, said: “It’s no surprise Britons will be heading to the beach in the current climate. The UK is home to some of the most glorious waterside havens; from the Isle of Wight to Dorset, Norfolk and the Isle of Harris. But what is surprising is the sheer difference in price of poolside essentials between the sexes.

“Of course, women and men will want to splash out on new beach attire, such as swimwear or footwear, being it’s the start of summer. Plus, it’s likely many aren’t prepared as the heatwave is quite unexpected and to think women might have to pay up to £40 more for the same essentials is baffling.

“Truly, individual retailers and brands need to take responsibility for how they choose to market their products - and at what price. Numbers need to read fair across the board. In 2018, there’s no excuse for any difference.”