School uniform costs can place a massive burden on families, especially when things are already so tight. So the news that M&S is launching an online pre-loved uniform shop has been welcomed.
Shoppers are being asked to donate their good quality hand-me-down uniforms in store and will be given a 20% off voucher for their trouble.
Any items dropped off as part of the Shwopping scheme will be given a second life - either in an Oxfam shop or, for the first time, made available on a dedicated pre-loved school uniform shop on eBay.
Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features
By partnering with eBay, M&S and Oxfam hope the pilot shop will mean even more families can access 'affordable, great quality school uniform' – no matter where they live or how they choose to shop.
Alexandra Dimitriu, kidswear director at M&S, said: “At M&S, our clothing is too good to waste. Made with care and with innovative design features, our school uniform is super durable to ensure whatever your kids get up to on the playground, it can last the test of time.
"We know our customers frequently hand down our school uniform to friends and family and this season, we’re encouraging them to drop school uniform which they no longer need into one of our new Shwopping boxes where it will be resold in Oxfam shops and through our exciting pilot shop with eBay.
"It’s one of the many ways we’re trying to make our best-in-class school uniform accessible to all families, however and whenever they choose to shop.”
The retailer's Shwopping scheme has been running with other products for a number of years, collecting over 36 million items which has contributed an estimated £23 million to Oxfam’s vital work across the world.
The Back-to-School Shwopping scheme is the latest initiative.
Lorna Fallon, Oxfam’s retail director, described it as 'a win-win initiative and a simple way for shoppers to make a huge difference'.
"Donating pre-loved school uniforms through the scheme is not only better for the environment, since it gives garments a longer lifecycle, it also raises funds for Oxfam’s life-saving work, and it helps parents here in the UK who may be struggling with the cost of kitting their children out for school," she said.
Lucy Peacock, head of pre-loved fashion at eBay UK, added: “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. Together with M&S and Oxfam, we are proud to be able to pilot an e-commerce solution to help parents get access to pre-loved school uniforms across all corners of the UK.”
Stores participating across Greater Manchester include:
- M&S Bury The Rock
- M&S Ashton Moss
- M&S Lowry Salford Quays Outlet
- M&S Bolton Middlebrook Retail Park
- M&S Trafford Park
- M&S Urban Exchange Manchester Outlet
- M&S Manchester
- M&S Rochdale Riverside
- M&S Wigan
- M&S Leigh
