School Uniform Supply Monopolies

Mrs_Arcanum

Just glad my two have PE on different days so they can share the rugby shirt. :rotfl:

Abbafan1972

I am really shocked at what I've just read! I have 2 DD's at primary school and luckily they are not too strict about the uniform.

They have to wear royal blue cardy, grey skirt/pinafore, white polo shirt. They are happy for the kids to wear uniform bought from ASDA. You can buy monologued cardigans from the school for £10 each and they are not too bad and do last a while, but these aren't compulsory. You can also buy a monologued polo shirt for £8, but I don't, as you can buy a pack of these from ASDA for the same price.

In the summer the girls can wear the light blue gingham dresses that can be bought from the supermarket.

They used to pretty much sell the whole uniform at the school office, but stopped doing this, as the headteacher said they couldn't compete with supermarket prices.

TechnoBadger

danieltomlinson wrote: »

I know you may not believe it but we are an ethical busines and want to supply really good value uniform in a way that is convenient to parents. We would look at any way the school likes in order to achieve this.

If you're ethical, why will you supply one schoolwear shop but not another one in its locality which I'm told is standard practice? Have I been misinformed? This is important as now many schools are moving onto 'more detailed school uniform' designed by a particular manufacturer then the parent has absolutely no hope of finding a cheaper supplier. And if your company offers to supply parents directly I'd hazard a guess that you won't be undercutting your local retailer! By all means call me a cynic but this business model is from the Dark Ages and needs cleaning up for the modern times that we actually live in.

danieltomlinson_2

Violetta wrote: »

The rules on company representative posting are on this page about half way down.
So yes really! Which may be why your 1st post was deleted?

I've just had a read of the rules highlighted by Violetta. It seems:

Company reps are enabled to allow a company to answer existing questions posted on the forum about the company or its services.

does this not mean I can respond to the thread? I thought it would benefit the conversation for me to provide some input and additional information from the side of the supplier. Jellyhead, I didn't think you were being bossy, I was just suprised that I could not respond

pigpen

danieltomlinson wrote: »

I've just had a read of the rules highlighted by Violetta. It seems:

Company reps are enabled to allow a company to answer existing questions posted on the forum about the company or its services.

does this not mean I can respond to the thread? I thought it would benefit the conversation for me to provide some input and additional information from the side of the supplier. Jellyhead, I didn't think you were being bossy, I was just suprised that I could not respond

The problem was the links you put in your post to your site.

danieltomlinson_2

TechnoBadger wrote: »

If you're ethical, why will you supply one schoolwear shop but not another one in its locality which I'm told is standard practice? Have I been misinformed? This is important as now many schools are moving onto 'more detailed school uniform' designed by a particular manufacturer then the parent has absolutely no hope of finding a cheaper supplier. And if your company offers to supply parents directly I'd hazard a guess that you won't be undercutting your local retailer! By all means call me a cynic but this business model is from the Dark Ages and needs cleaning up for the modern times that we actually live in.

There are many instances where you can purchase one schools uniform from various independent retailers. One thing that needs to be considered is that these independent retailers are small business and it makes it very difficult to make projects on sales when there are multiple retailers selling the same items. If at the end of the year a small retailer is left with a lot of stock of badged or special items, they can not be sold elsewhere and the company can go under. The schoolwear market is a unique model, but its the school the makes the decision on where parents should buy their uniform. There is a code of best practice which suggests that schools should have multiple suppliers to ensure prices stay competitive and we sign up to that. The vast majority of retailers out there, even when they have solus supply to a school, are not taking advantage. These retailers sell uniform all year round unlike the high street that take advantage of the market at back to school and drop it shortly afterwards. In addition they have knowledgeable staff who know the policies of local schools.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

danieltomlinson wrote: »

There are many instances where you can purchase one schools uniform from various independent retailers. One thing that needs to be considered is that these independent retailers are small business and it makes it very difficult to make projects on sales when there are multiple retailers selling the same items. If at the end of the year a small retailer is left with a lot of stock of badged or special items, they can not be sold elsewhere and the company can go under. The schoolwear market is a unique model, but its the school the makes the decision on where parents should buy their uniform. There is a code of best practice which suggests that schools should have multiple suppliers to ensure prices stay competitive and we sign up to that. The vast majority of retailers out there, even when they have solus supply to a school, are not taking advantage. These retailers sell uniform all year round unlike the high street that take advantage of the market at back to school and drop it shortly afterwards. In addition they have knowledgeable staff who know the policies of local schools.

So what you are saying is that it's up to the school and you have no choice but to charge ridiculous prices for stuff that is of substandard quality so that they have to be replaced during the school year so you aren't left with surplus stock?

There is no way that a pair of grey nylon trousers should cost £18 when you can get some made to measure by a tailor in a decent material for just a few pounds more.

TechnoBadger

danieltomlinson wrote: »

One thing that needs to be considered is that these independent retailers are small business and it makes it very difficult to make projects on sales when there are multiple retailers selling the same items. If at the end of the year a small retailer is left with a lot of stock of badged or special items, they can not be sold elsewhere and the company can go under. The schoolwear market is a unique model, but its the school the makes the decision on where parents should buy their uniform.

THE PARENTS should be able to make the decision on where to buy school uniform. You're explaining to us the protectionism that is inherrant in this industry. If a business cannot survive in a free market it should go bust! This is a core fundamental of competitive business. The industry denies competition by encouraging monopolies and giving kickbacks. No need to feel sorry for the schoolwear shop. Other small shops have closed - there was no dodgy protection for fishmongers. Or butchers. Or greengrocers. But we still eat. And if a schoolwear shop can't compete someone else will fill the void and children will still have uniform - in fact you're denying other companies the chance to enter the market. It cannot be right.

pigpen

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

So what you are saying is that it's up to the school and you have no choice but to charge ridiculous prices for stuff that is of substandard quality so that they have to be replaced during the school year so you aren't left with surplus stock?

There is no way that a pair of grey nylon trousers should cost £18 when you can get some made to measure by a tailor in a decent material for just a few pounds more.

Or make a lovely cool cotton pair yourself for about £4.. but then if you are going buy lots through the year you may as well stock up on supermarket cheapies. I'd expect at least 2 pairs in bigger sizes or 3-4 in smaller sizes for £18.. (ours are predominantly M&S and BHS)

I've never bought that brand because it is too expenive for the quality and wear the children would get.

Buttonmoons

My DD starts school this year, I went in to view the new jumpers etc, one of them has a hood attached - half the kids are gonna look like little hooligans, doesn't look very smart if you ask me.

She's 3ft 6 and about 2stone 10, the age 5-6 jumper utterly drowned her, she has to get an age 3 (nursery kids size) so I ordered her 2 jumpers (1 in the next size up) and a tshirt with the logo for her P.E kit, she'll just get whatever shorts I pick up, and whatever gym bag I get aswell.

Not buying anything else "logo'd" I've bought her nice grey/black pleated skirts, and blouses, just need to get her some blue/black cardigans. I can't see her wearing the jumper often, she refuses to wear trousers as they are "gross"

Think the total for me is £26 at the school for 2 jumpers and a tshirt, but, the school are trying to get the prices lower. The asbo hoody jumper is £18 though, amazing how many of THOSE have been bought (its a V poor area)