M&S is rewarding customers with money off children’s clothes when they donate used school uniforms, as part of its latest push to support families with the rising cost of living.
The initiative is an extension to the retailer’s “shwopping” partnership with Oxfam, and shoppers can receive 20% off selected kids’ ranges via the Sparks scheme for taking part.
From today, dedicated “shwop” boxes have been set up in the kidswear departments of more than 200 M&S stores for customers to donate any item of school clothing, including those with school badges and from any retailer.
The second-hand uniform will be sold in Oxfam stores and through a new ‘back-to-school’ eBay shop. All profits will go to Oxfam.
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Oxfam retail director Lorna Fallon said: “Donating pre-loved school uniforms is not only better for the environment, since it gives garments a longer lifecycle, it also raises funds for Oxfam, and helps parents here in the UK who may be struggling with the cost of kitting their children out for school.”
The department store retailer revealed earlier this month it was freezing the price of its school uniform for the third year in a row under its “commitment to protecting value on the products that matter most to customers”.
M&S kidswear director Alexandra Dimitriu said: “School uniform is an essential purchase for millions of families and now more than ever, parents are prioritising value.
“By continuing to protect prices, we’re ensuring affordable school uniform is accessible to all families this back-to-school season.”
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