The place to be!

The Schoolwear Show returns to Cranmore Park in Solihull on October 9 and 10. The show is the place to be if you sell schoolwear.

The UK’s only trade exhibition dedicated solely to the independent schoolwear retailer returns next month – bigger and fuller than in recent years.

Highlights will include stands from show organisers – Banner, David Luke, Gymphlex, One+All and William Turner, plus many firm favourites such as Falcon Sportswear, Trutex and Charles Kirk, among others. Visitors can certainly look forward to a great selection of manufacturers and service providers when they attend.

These exhibitors and many more will be showcasing what’s on offer for the 2023 back to school season. It’s the only place visitors can see all of the major players in the schoolwear industry under one roof.

“Undoubtedly there will be new products launched at the forthcoming show which will hopefully pique buyers’ interest for BTS 2023, and keep the market up to date,” explains Howard Wilder, sales director at Banner.

Cost of living

This year’s exhibition will be taking place against the backdrop of the current cost of living crisis, which is consequently having a knock-on effect on the schoolwear industry and what products parents are able to afford, as Howard explains: “In many cases, just the absolute minimum or only compulsory items are being bought at independent retailers and generics being bought in the high street. However, this is a resilient market place that is doing all it can to help make the current cost of living crisis as manageable as possible.”

The back to school 2022 season, according to Howard, has been very mixed among retailers. Some have shown increases on 2021, but many are also showing only like for like sales, of even decreases. Only time will tell what effect the ongoing cost of living crisis will have on the 2023 back to school season.

Reflecting this current challenging environment, two charities will be exhibiting at The Schoolwear Show for the first time; Sal’s Shoes and Goods for Good.

The Schoolwear Show has officially pledged its support for children’s charity Sal’s Shoes and its UK School Shoes Fund, which helps buy children in need new school shoes.

It is estimated that 1.7 million children attend school in badly fitting, unclean and incorrect uniform. By having a stand at the show, Sal’s Shoes will be able to network with suppliers and retailers and share further information on its campaign.

Goods for Good will also use the exhibition as a fantastic networking opportunity and to share more information about its work. Set up in 2014 to alleviate poverty and reduce waste, Goods for Good redistributes overstocked and unwanted goods, including school uniform and sportswear. In the UK, the charity provides non-logoed school uniforms to those in desperate need, including children of asylum seekers, refugees and evacuees.

Sustainability

Moving away from the cost of living crisis, sustainability remains at the heart of most businesses, their products and practices. New exhibitor Small Stuff brings a new dimension of sustainability to the exhibition with its range of trendy accessories. Small Stuff consciously sources and designs accessories using fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles, polyester and glitter. The brand works with high street shops and supermarkets and is the largest and only distributor of recycled school hair accessories, kid’s and women’s fashion accessories.

“With so much happening within the industry and the general economy, The Schoolwear Show is the ideal place to meet friends, colleagues, suppliers and other like-minded people. It’s the perfect place for suppliers to showcase what they are doing for 2023 and to have meaningful conversations with customers who they may not have seen for some time,” concludes Howard.

With all of this and so much more to see, if you’re in the market for schoolwear make sure you pay a visit to The Schoolwear Show 2022.

• To register visit www.theschoolwearshow.co.uk