It may only be July and the kids are fully enjoying their summer holidays, but the thoughts of going to school have already started for the country’s leading supermarket chains as price war has emerged already over school uniforms.
With school days starting for many children in just over a month’s time many parents will face the daunting costs of preparing their children for the school year ahead, as a result the country’s leading supermarkets have decided to jump in and come to the rescue by offering full outfits for as little €5.47. However the supermarket chains may very well be disappointed by their efforts as the majority of schools still adhere to the code that their own “official” crested uniforms must be worn.
Although the majority of schools insist on crested uniforms, it has not stopped the supermarket chains from ploughing ahead and offering Irish parents the opportunity to fully dress their little one at a significantly low cost. It is understood that Aldi are currently offering uniforms at €5.47, whilst Tesco confirmed that parents will be able to buy a full uniform for €6.50. Meanwhile Dunnes Stores’ valuation of an entire outfit is at higher cost of €24.70, whilst Marks & Spencer say parents will have to pay €28.50 for a full uniform.
However the news has somewhat angered the children’s advocacy group Barnardos who are warning parents not to buy the cheaper alternative as most schools across the country will not accept them as they do not have the official school crests emblazoned on them. This in turn will force many cash-strapped parents into spending an extra €160 in order to have the official uniform .
Barnardos claims have led to supermarket chains Aldi and Tesco defending their price saying they have sourced their uniforms ethically.
A representative for Aldi explained: “As a responsible business, we are committed to ensuring the human rights of workers in our supply chains are respected. “All suppliers of our ‘Back to School’ range must comply with applicable national laws, industry minimum standards and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and United Nations (UN) Conventions, whichever standard is more stringent.”
Meanwhile a representative for Tesco also said: “Our F&F Back to School uniform range at Tesco is produced by a number of suppliers and sourced ethically from across the world. “We know that our customers care that the places these garments are made are good places to work, and so do we.”