‘It keeps us going’: The independent retailers kitting out NI pupils for new school year – and how changes carry a threat

https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/it-keeps-us-going-the-independent-retailers-kitting-out-ni-pupils-for-new-school-year-and-how-changes-carry-a-threat/a521529459.html

‘It keeps us going’: The independent retailers kitting out NI pupils for new school year – and how changes carry a threat
Businesses rely on the annual uniform rush to keep lights on

There’s a small army of business owners for whom back to school means a big uplift in turnover.
It can take a year to prepare for — but helps get them through the quieter months.

All-year round, independent retailers battle with the lower prices charged by supermarkets.

But the new September term is when they can cash in.

Many, such as uniform and clothing retailer McEvoy’s in Newry, have been in business for well over 50 years.

The Monaghan Street store was set up by Gabriel McEvoy, father of present owner Martin, in the 1950s.

Gabriel branched out into uniforms as he wanted to ensure he had stock he could sell in every season.

McEvoy’s supplies uniforms for 50 schools in the area.

They are sourced from wholesalers who import from overseas, with some also coming from KK Bespoke Schoolwear, a specialist manufacturer in Magherafelt.

A retailer like McEvoy’s caters for all schools in the community — Catholic-maintained, controlled and integrated.

Changes in uniform habits Martin has noticed in recent years include sweatshirts instead of V-neck jumpers.

The business acknowledges the financial pressure on many parents, allowing them to pay on a weekly basis.

Martin says around half his sales are achieved at this time of year, with up to seven staff taken on to cope with the rush.

He explained: “Certainly, you can’t compete with supermarkets on price, but we do compete with them on better quality garments and on service, and the fact we keep uniforms all-year round. Supermarkets only stock the stuff at this time of year.”

Affordability is a major factor with uniforms and school meals.

The Education Authority said that, by August 9, it had received 49,108 applications for free school meals and uniform allowance.

With applications made for more than one child at a time, 61,220 pupils have been assessed as entitled to a free school meal, with 53,989 entitled to a uniform grant.

The EA says year on year increases of up to 3,000 for each category are because of an easier online application process.

Johnnie McKillen, manager of the children’s department at McKillen’s shoe shop in Ballymena, says it witnesses a near nine-fold increase in sales in July and August.

He added: “It’s the most important time of the year based purely on our children’s department.

“It is a big undertaking, as the big increase in sales comes at a bigger cost.

“We’ve obviously got to spend an awful lot more money on stock, which isn’t cheap nowadays.

“Advertising increases, and we recruited six new staff members this year on top of our other eight staff.”

Changing trends since the pandemic have seen sales fall, with schools allowing more relaxed styles.

Leather shoes are no longer a must, and many even permit casual trainer-style Vans shoes.

‘Trainer days’ up to three days a week are also common in primary schools.

“You can buy a cheap pair of shoes and a dear trainer, so we find a lot of that has affected business,” he explained.

“It’s fair enough — school shoes are boring to a child but a trainer is exciting.

“But if there is a trend and schools become more relaxed and there is a trainer policy, that might close my children’s department, because the percentage increase in sales at this time of year keeps us going.”

Warnocks on Belfast’s Lisburn Road, like McEvoy’s, supplies uniforms to pupils in around 50 schools.

The company also carries out some of its own manufacturing.

Sales director Jan Buchanan, whose father-in-law Alan acquired the business around 40 years ago, told the Belfast Telegraph: “We actually start prepping for back to school in September the year before.

“The second the kids go back to school, we start our stocktake, and the second that’s done, we are ordering uniforms for next year.

“Everything has quite long lead-times because it’s all so bespoke. Various different uniforms, colours and trims, have to be right, so we start working on it really early.”

Like Martin, she agrees the biggest changes have been felt with primary school uniforms.

“Back in my father-in-law’s day, the wee primary schools used to have big overcoats and all wore jumpers as part of their uniform,” she added.

“But now we don’t sell as much knitwear, as a lot of schools will allow them to wear hoodies and sportswear under their blazers.”

The business sells online, though generally not for a school’s new intake.

She explained: “When you’re kitting out a brand new first year, 99% of people will come into the shop because you’ve got no idea of sizing or anything.

“We just love it and really enjoy it, especially in the early part of the summer — so many little P7s coming in to get their big school uniform, and they’re so excited and their parents are so proud of them.

“It’s such a nice experience and you want to make it as nice as possible. It’s really heart-warming.”

Businesses like Warnocks and McEvoy’s are awaiting the outcome of a consultation on school uniform policy, which closes on September 27.