Tesco is trialling a schoolwear embroidery service saying that it will give parents whose kids need bespoke uniform a "cheaper and simpler alternative to specialist suppliers".
Tesco has written to 1,448 state school head teachers in Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Sheffield and Hertfordshire inviting them to take part in the trial, which will enable parents to buy uniform embroidered with their school’s emblem. The uniform will cost at least 40% less than at specialist suppliers, they say. Terry Green, Tesco’s CEO of UK Non Food said: “We know that many parents struggle with the cost of embroidered uniform. With households budgets tight this year we want everyone to be able to take advantage of our top quality, great value schoolwear."
Responding to the news, David Burgess, chairman of the Schoolwear Association says: “We do welcome any retailer offering parents more choice when it comes to schoolwear, however this is not the first time a multinational company has attempted to set up an embroidery service to bespoke uniform items for local schools. School-specific uniform provision has distinct challenges which differ to other types of retailing – not least the wide range of relatively small volumes and the need for close relationships with the schools. The large multiples should not make the mistake of thinking that because this market is primarily handled by small independents that it is ‘easy’.”
Last year Tesco launched a school uniform for just £3.75, cheaper than any other UK supermarket. The Tesco uniform came top of the class in quality tests on the BBC’s consumer programme Watchdog in September, beating M&S, Sainsbury’s and Asda. The embroidery service will initially be offered on pique polos and sweatshirts in a range of colours.
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