School uniforms: UK parents urged to buy early amid supply problems

theguardian.com:

The holidays have only just begun for many children but families are being warned not to leave uniform shopping to the last minute because of potential shortages of official school blazers and jumpers.

The specialist retailer School Uniform Direct, which supplies scores of UK schools, has written to thousands of customers urging them to place orders for branded clothing as soon as possible.

In a repeat of last year, the clothing company said it had been advised by its manufacturers that retailers were experiencing delays getting stock into stores because of disruption related to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are currently in a strong position; however, not completely immune from the circumstances across the globe,” School Uniform Direct said in an email to customers. “We are asking parents and guardianstoplace their orders or come in-store as soon as possible. This will help ensure they receive uniform in time.”

Many families delay buying school uniforms until the last minute for financial reasons or to avoid being caught out by a summer growth spurt.

However, financial concerns loom large before the next academic year because of the squeeze on household finances caused by rising food, fuel and energy bills.

“It’s not like fashion, where you can predict X number of sales and it doesn’t matter if you sell out,” says Alex Gani, a director of the London-based family clothing firm. “With school uniform you need to have stock in all sizes.

“If we get everyone in early, then we start to see in our own stock holdings where there are shortages, and then we can fill those now and get stock levels up to a sustainable level, and then be able to manage those people who come to us at the last moment.”

The warning of shortages comes as the