This week Marks and Spencer stores in Scotland have announced the extension of the company’s long-standing Shwopping scheme with the roll-out of dedicated school uniform Shwop boxes in 23 of its stores across Scotland.
And Glaswegians can benefit with stores across the city taking part in the roll-out.
It’s the first time a national retailer, Oxfam, and eBay have come together to pilot the sale of the clothing through a pre-loved eBay school uniform shop - each item of which is quality tested.
READ MORE: Amazon Prime Day - when is it and how to avoid being scammed
With this in mind, the trio are urging people to donate their hand-me-down quality school uniform into M&S Shwop boxes this summer so another pupil can benefit from it as they prepare to head back to school.
Sparks customers donating their pre-loved school uniform into one of the Shwop boxes will also receive 20% off selected kids’ clothing at M&S*
By partnering with eBay, M&S and Oxfam hope the pilot shop will mean even more families can access affordable, great quality school uniform – no matter where they live or how they choose to shop.
Every school uniform sale - whether through Oxfam’s shops or via the eBay shop - will raise funds to support the vital work the charity does to tackle poverty and inequality around the world, including supporting communities on the front line of climate change. Any school uniform that can’t be resold in Oxfam shops or on eBay will be recycled or reused wherever possible.
Alexandra Dimitriu, Kidswear Director at M&S, said: “At M&S, our clothing is too good to waste. Made with care and with innovative design features, our school uniform is super durable to ensure whatever your kids get up to on the playground, it can last the test of time.
"We know our customers frequently hand down our school uniform to friends and family and this season, we’re encouraging them to drop school uniform which they no longer need into one of our new Shwopping boxes where it will be resold in Oxfam shops and through our exciting pilot shop with eBay. It’s one of the many ways we’re trying to make our best-in-class school uniform accessible to all families, however and whenever they choose to shop.”
Lorna Fallon, Oxfam’s Retail Director, also said: “The Back-to-School Shwopping scheme is a win-win initiative and a simple way for shoppers to make a huge difference. Donating pre-loved school uniforms through the scheme is not only better for the environment, since it gives garments a longer lifecycle, it also raises funds for Oxfam’s life-saving work, and it helps parents here in the UK who may be struggling with the cost of kitting their children out for school.”
Lucy Peacock, Head of Pre-Loved Fashion at eBay UK, added: “Every parent should be able to have access to a school uniform for their child at any age which is good quality and fit for purpose. The cost-of-living crisis has created greater education poverty and an ever-increasing need for school uniforms. Together with M&S and Oxfam, we are proud to be able to pilot an e-commerce solution to help parents get access to pre-loved school uniforms across all corners of the UK.”
*Offer cannot be used on discounted items, babywear, accessories, footwear, nightwear, underwear, school uniform and hosiery.
