Families are being offered money off children’s clothes in Marks & Spencer if they donate school uniform hand-me-downs, as part of a push designed to help parents struggling to afford them amid the cost of living crisis.
The second-hand uniform collected will be sold via Oxfam’s high street chain as well as via a new “back-to-school” eBay shop. The tie-up is an extension of M&S’s existing “shwopping” partnership with Oxfam, in which customers drop off old clothing in exchange for loyalty card perks.
Lorna Fallon, Oxfam’s retail director, described it as a “win-win”. She said: “Donating pre-loved school uniforms is not only better for the environment, since it gives garments a longer lifecycle, it also raises funds for Oxfam, and it helps parents here in the UK who may be struggling with the cost of kitting their children out for school.”
By working with eBay for the first time, it was hoped more families would be able to access affordable school uniform wherever they live or however they choose to shop, M&S said.
Buying new school uniforms is an annual strain on family finances during the summer months when, with children on holiday, costs are higher anyway. The pressure is particularly acute this year as rising living costs eat into any spare cash.
A recent survey by the Children’s Society found that uniform costs for secondary-school pupils average £422 per year, with costs for primary-school children at £287. The poll of 2,000 parents from around the UK by the charity also found that the high cost was partly because of the number of branded items required by schools.
From Monday, dedicated school uniform “shwop” boxes will be located in the kidswear departments of more than 200 M&S branches. Customers can donate any item of school uniform, from any retailer, including those with school badges.
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The only request is the clothing be of at least “hand-me-down quality”. Those who take part receive a 20% off selected kids’ ranges voucher via M&S’s Sparks loyalty card. Any profits go to Oxfam.
Lucy Peacock, the head of pre-loved fashion at eBay UK, said: “Every parent should be able to have access to a school uniform for their child at any age which is good quality and fit for purpose. The cost of living crisis has created greater education poverty and an ever-increasing need for school uniforms.”
Despite the higher costs faced by retailers, M&S, which is the market leader selling nearly 7m pieces of school uniform a year, has not increased its prices since 2021.
“School uniform is an essential purchase for millions of families and now more than ever, parents are prioritising value,” said Alexandra Dimitriu, its kidswear director. “By continuing to protect prices, we’re ensuring affordable school uniform is accessible to all families this back-to-school season.”
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