Schoolwear Association mailer – 15 May 2020

A message from the SA

On behalf of the Schoolwear Association we hope you and your family are safe and well. This week we have heard more about how the UK will begin to move out of lockdown, with the first steps towards easing restrictions announced by the Government.

As part of the Government’s plan, shops currently classed as “non-essential” could be able to open from June so the next few weeks will undoubtedly be very busy for the sector as we prepare to welcome customers again.

Our recent survey found that many in the sector are somewhat unsure about re-opening their doors to customers safely with social distancing rules in place, and there is no doubt that continued cooperation is required for our industry to resume operations over the coming weeks and months.

With this in mind, the SA has created a message that we urge ALL members to send to their schools to support retailers ahead of the back to school period. This includes encouraging parents to shop as early as possible to spread the volume of customers visiting stores.

The letter is attached to this mailer – please ensure you send this to all your schools in the near future.

You can also download the file here.

Matthew Easter and Mark Stevenson, co-chairs of the Schoolwear Association.

Government guidance

As part of the plan to ease lockdown restrictions, the Government has issued guidance to retailers and manufacturers. It is important for all SA members to read this advice in order to ensure they follow the legislation and can restart operations safely for customers and staff.

You can read the guidance in full here:

Social media graphics

In preparation for re-opening businesses, the social media graphics the SA has produced could be vital to raise awareness among parents in your community. The graphics have recently featured in CWB Magazine and can be downloaded here.

CWB has also published a series of guides from social media expert Alex McCann to promote your business on social media. You can read them below:

And finally…

An unlikely source of news for this mailer, perhaps, but Hello! Magazine has unveiled some unlikely advocates of a quality school uniform. While you might have expected David and Victoria Beckham’s children to be sporting brands like D&G, Louis Vuitton, or even Victoria’s own fashion label, during lockdown, the story revealed that eight year old Harper Beckham has been wearing her school uniform while studying at home. They must have read the SA advice from Matthew!

You can read the full story here.