Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Chemist doesn't sell loo roll

116 replies

Poodlelove · 26/10/2025 15:35

Today I went for a walk with my dog , on the way back I realised I needed to get paracetamol and toilet rolls and rather than drive somewhere I walked back home via the chemist.

I asked the owner and his wife where the toilet rolls were and they said they don't sell it.
I was rather shocked as the chemist had toothpaste , shampoo, pile cream, Imodium , bubble bath etc etc.

" A chemist without toilet rolls how bizarre" , I said in a loud voice.
" Come on Leonard , we are off ," I said to the dog ( As in Catherine Tate ) .
Am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
justalittlebitofrain · 27/10/2025 23:56

I don’t know that I’ve ever thought about a chemist selling loo roll.

But your weird loud exclamation about it has made me cringe inside out and next time I’m at the chemist I’ll be imagining it, so thanks for that.

elliejjtiny · 27/10/2025 23:53

I used to work in a chemist. We didn't sell toilet roll but loads of people would come in and ask for it. And be shocked when we didn't sell it.

Katflapkit · 27/10/2025 23:36

I remember loo rolls in my local chemist but that was back in the day when they were in a two pack. Now you need a hod carrier to get a pack home - I haven't seen them.

Can't we have a photo of Leonard's sad 'Broken Britain' face please.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 27/10/2025 23:13

Well a chemist should sell loo roll, its weird that they dont

But your reaction was also weird and unnecessary 🤷‍♀️

llizzie · 27/10/2025 23:11

Poodlelove · 26/10/2025 15:35

Today I went for a walk with my dog , on the way back I realised I needed to get paracetamol and toilet rolls and rather than drive somewhere I walked back home via the chemist.

I asked the owner and his wife where the toilet rolls were and they said they don't sell it.
I was rather shocked as the chemist had toothpaste , shampoo, pile cream, Imodium , bubble bath etc etc.

" A chemist without toilet rolls how bizarre" , I said in a loud voice.
" Come on Leonard , we are off ," I said to the dog ( As in Catherine Tate ) .
Am I being unreasonable?

Considering the price of a square foot of business space, and Ms Reeves hiking up the expenses of running a shop, and an independent chemist having to battle against big names like Boots, I can understand why they don't sell loo rolls. They take up too much space.

Chemists also have to pay for the prescription drugs bought in advance. Independent chemists have cash flow problems half the time. Look up limited companies in Companies House. It will give you an idea of how much of a rat race they have to keep what space they have filled.

Buy them in bulk from Costco and you are less likely to run out - or buy some Kleenex for emergencies.

Miceloveme · 27/10/2025 19:52

I can think of 4 chemist's I've been into over the past year and non of them sell loo roll.

mateysmum · 27/10/2025 19:24

If you are using Immodium regularly then if you haven't already, you should be having a serious conversation with your GP.

mateysmum · 27/10/2025 19:21

Let's just say I have detailed inside knowledge of why pharmacies, including Boots may not sell toilet roll. As others have said, it is a bulky, low margin product which can be purchased in any grocery store, no special reason to buy it in a chemist where they can't hope to compete on price.
Most pharmacies are quite small and don't have the storage or shelf space for loo roll. Also many customers are just coming in for prescriptions and don't want to be lugging bulky items away with them.

Original poster
Poodlelove · 27/10/2025 14:51

Imodium is literally a life saver 🛟

OP posts:
TeenLifeMum · 26/10/2025 19:29

Coconutter24 · 26/10/2025 19:00

Quite hypocritical to suggest I’m being ‘mn police’ when you’re questioning how often someone buys Imodium. It’s not about responding how I would respond I’m well aware everyone is different it’s just your original comment came across as judgey. I also think it’s hypocritical to tell me to chill out when you’ve responded the way you have to a simple question

Show quote history

Genuinely didn’t know people used it regularly. I’ve learned something I wouldn’t know if I hadn’t asked.

AgnesMcDoo · 26/10/2025 19:04

They take up a lot of space they don’t have

ilovesooty · 26/10/2025 19:03

Was Leonard as appalled as you were? 😁

Coconutter24 · 26/10/2025 19:00

TeenLifeMum · 26/10/2025 16:45

Just curious. Apologies my question didn’t meet your standards. I do love the mn post police who seem to think everyone has to respond how they would 🙄 it was a light hearted throw away comment. Maybe go and have a glass of wine and chill out a bit 🤷🏻‍♀️

Show quote history

Quite hypocritical to suggest I’m being ‘mn police’ when you’re questioning how often someone buys Imodium. It’s not about responding how I would respond I’m well aware everyone is different it’s just your original comment came across as judgey. I also think it’s hypocritical to tell me to chill out when you’ve responded the way you have to a simple question

mamagogo1 · 26/10/2025 18:00

It’s hard enough to buy prescription only drugs at my local pharmacy, they are out of stock usually! There’s things like otc drugs but nothing like loo toll, nappies etc stocked, it’s pretty useless all around and being taken over on 1st November!

InterestedDad37 · 26/10/2025 17:58

Poodlelove · 26/10/2025 16:00

They always used to sell it when I would run in get that and Imodium as an emergency.
No corner shop , just Chinese , tattoo shop, hairdresser and coffee shop.

They always used to! You're right. Mind you, Boots used to sell vinyl records and camera film 👍

WonderfulSmith · 26/10/2025 17:56

I don’t think it’s odd to expect a chemist to stock loo roll. Having an animated passive aggressive conversation with the dog is though.

FastFood · 26/10/2025 17:52

I went to a garage they didn't have butter how bizarre!

P00hsticks · 26/10/2025 17:51

lifeonmars100 · 26/10/2025 16:33

Why didn't you just buy a box of tissues to tide you over until you can get to a shop that does selll toilet roll ? How do you think people coped in the olden days when nearly all shops were shut all day on a Sunday?

Or possibly looked for wet wipes - they might have had those as they take up less space and probably have a higher margin).

BashfulClam · 26/10/2025 17:50

I wouldn’t expect a chemist to sell bog roll!

Needmorelego · 26/10/2025 17:47

DickDewey · 26/10/2025 17:45

Strange on 2 levels. That you expect a chemist to sell loo rolls, and that you seem to frequently need Imodium.

Show quote history

I use (non branded much cheaper version) Imodium regularly.
It stops me needing high amounts of loo roll.
TMI.
Sorry 😂

DickDewey · 26/10/2025 17:45

Poodlelove · 26/10/2025 16:00

They always used to sell it when I would run in get that and Imodium as an emergency.
No corner shop , just Chinese , tattoo shop, hairdresser and coffee shop.

Strange on 2 levels. That you expect a chemist to sell loo rolls, and that you seem to frequently need Imodium.

Needmorelego · 26/10/2025 17:42

NotForTheMoneyandNotForTheApplause · 26/10/2025 17:35

That doesn't come up on the boots website for me, maybe you have to have an account with them to buy it

Show quote history

That was an old picture from Google.
Looks like they don't sell it anymore.
To be honest Boots is one of those shops that's a bit random in what they sell.

JackJarvisEsq · 26/10/2025 17:38

What you want is an old school Capaldis ice cream van that sells loo roll, nappies, askit powders, dog food and single cigarettes

they never let you down

NotForTheMoneyandNotForTheApplause · 26/10/2025 17:37

Whowahway123 · 26/10/2025 17:31

Oh wow! Out chemist / pharmacy sells loo roll, kitchen roll, all cleaning materials like fairy liquid, bleach, Dettol, loo cleaner, air fresheners, dishwasher Tabs, carpet cleaner, along with OTC meds, makeup, shower bubble bath, shampoo, hair gel etc. And this just isn’t just one independent chemist, it’s all in my location.

Do I live in a different universe?!

Different universe for me then, boots in my area doesn't sell half that stuff and I'd have never thought of them for cleaning products

MysterySong · 26/10/2025 17:35

The old fashioned pharmacies used to, but they are all more clinical now. No point in them competing with the supermarkets.

Swipe left for the next trending thread