Marks & Spencer (M&S) is offering families discounts on children’s clothes if they donate their old school uniforms, in an effort to assist parents facing financial challenges in the midst of a cost of living crisis. The collected second-hand uniforms will be sold through Oxfam’s retail stores and a new “back-to-school” eBay shop. This initiative is an expansion of M&S’s existing partnership with Oxfam called “shwopping,” where customers exchange old clothing for loyalty card benefits.
Lorna Fallon, Oxfam’s retail director, sees the collaboration as mutually beneficial. She explains that donating pre-owned school uniforms not only helps the environment by prolonging the lifespan of garments but also raises funds for Oxfam while assisting UK parents who struggle with the costs of equipping their children for school.
M&S aims to reach more families by partnering with eBay for the first time, ensuring that affordable school uniforms are accessible regardless of location or shopping preferences.
Purchasing new school uniforms places a financial burden on families every year, especially during the summer months when costs rise due to children being on holiday. This year, the strain is particularly acute as rising living costs erode any disposable income. According to a recent survey by the Children’s Society, secondary school uniform costs average £422 per year, while primary school uniform costs reach £287. The high expense is partly attributed to schools requiring branded items.
Starting on Monday, designated “shwop” boxes will be placed in the children’s clothing departments of over 200 M&S branches. Customers can donate any school uniform item, regardless of the retailer it was originally purchased from, including those with school logos.
In return, participants will receive a 20% discount voucher for selected kids’ ranges through M&S’s Sparks loyalty card. All profits from the initiative will be donated to Oxfam.
Lucy Peacock, head of pre-loved fashion at eBay UK, emphasizes the importance of every parent being able to access high-quality, suitable school uniforms for their children. The cost of living crisis has exacerbated education poverty and increased the demand for affordable school uniforms.
Despite the higher costs faced by retailers, M&S, the leading school uniform supplier selling approximately 7 million pieces each year, has not raised its prices since 2021. Alexandra Dimitriu, M&S’s director of kidswear, stresses the company’s commitment to keeping school uniform prices affordable for all families this back-to-school season.
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