The Schoolwear Show Preview Upcoming seminars
With potential future changes in the school uniform market, it’s more important than ever for retailers to attend the seminars organised by The Schoolwear Show. The seminars present a fantastic opportunity for independent retailers to gain valuable market insights and network with their peers.
Sunday 11am
Dan Honour from Red Hawk helping small businesses manage their energy costs.
Sunday 4pm
Retailers Q&A with Marie Bradburn from The Schoolwear Association.
Monday 11am
There will be opportunities for attendees to meet existing suppliers face to face, view the latest product innovations
Marc Woolfson from WA Comms discussing ‘Schoolwear in Politics’ followed by a 15-minute Q&A.
Monday 2pm
Schoolwear Association update and future strategy for the industry with Matthew Easter and Marie Bradburn.
The Q&A sessions will provide essential advice on the government’s plan for school uniforms and feature voices from the schoolwear industry, offering practical tips for a successful back-to-school season.
The key companies which own The Schoolwear Show are: David Luke, One+All, Falcon, William Turner, and Banner
Labour’s imposed limitations
Earlier this summer, the Labour Party came to power after more than 14 years of Conservative governance. In its manifesto, Labour highlighted its intention to lower the cost of school uniform by limiting the amount of logoed uniform. In the manifesto, the party stated ‘it will also bring down the cost of school by limiting the number of branded items of uniform and PE kit that schools can require’.
The current guidance on school uniforms from the Department of Education was issued under the Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act 2021. What this means is the newly appointed Labour government can update the guidance without the requirement of new legislation. The Act states: ‘The Secretary of State may from time to time revise guidance issued under this section’. This means that the number of items allowed to be branded can be potentially amended at any point. P&P assistant editor, Cameron Beech asked Mark Woolgar, one of the directors of The Schoolwear Show, what his thoughts were about the benefits of school-specific uniform, to which he replied: “Labour’s policy to limit school-specific uniforms poses challenges. Vague descriptions can lead to inconsistent brands and styles, highlighting social differences. “Cheaper uniforms wear out faster, increasing overall costs. Restrictions also make it harder for teachers to manage dress codes and behaviour, and small uniform retailers could be threatened by large supermarkets. Pupils might feel pressured to wear in-fashion brands, adding costs for parents.”
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
When asked how the new government’s aim to limit school- specific uniforms will affect schoolwear retailers and how this will impact local school uniform shops on the high street, Mr Woolgar said: “There is still a lot unknown in terms of timing of any limit being brought it and what the number of limited items will be. There is potential that with fewer branded items required, schools might reduce the number of sportwear items required and parents might turn to larger supermarkets and online retailers for generic uniform items. “However, there is a concern that cheaper, non-branded items may not be as durable, leading to more frequent replacements and potentially higher long-term costs for families. Also, local independent uniform shops often have long-standing relationships with local schools and communities. A shift away from branded uniforms might weaken these ties and reduce the sense of community support.”
These potential changes and more will be covered in the seminar sessions hosted by experts from the schoolwear industry, which is why a visit to The Schoolwear Show is essential for independent retailers.
• To register visit
www.theschoolwearshow.co.uk
Key information What: The Schoolwear Show 2024.
Where: Cranmore Park Conference and Event Centre, Solihull.
When: The Schoolwear Show will take place across two days on October 6 and 7. The show is open from 9am to 5pm on Sunday and 9am to 4.30pm on Monday.
How: To register, or for further information, visit
www.theschoolwearshow.co.uk
Why: The Schoolwear Show is the place to be if you are selling schoolwear and where to get an excellent overview of what’s on offer for 2025.
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