Supermarket giant Asda today triggered a school uniform price war as it unveiled what it claims is the cheapest uniform ever – costing just £4.
The bargain price will be welcome news for parents wanting to save some cash as families across the nation struggle in the current credit crunch climate. The Asda outfit, for children aged from three to 12, goes on sale this weekend, and is a flat price, regardless of age.
Their £4 offering – which includes a polo shirt, skirt or trousers and a sweatshirt, comes just days after high street giant M&S unveiled its lowest price uniform at £6.50.
Asda said that when M&S unveiled its £6.50 uniform last week, this was only for children aged up to six, while a uniform for children aged 12 would be £13.50.
“Asda believes it is time that pricing structures that increase with age should be challenged and parents of older or larger children should not be penalised in this way,” a spokesman for the supermarket said.
The uniform, designed by its brand George’s “back to school” team, includes a polo shirt, sweatshirt – available in assorted colours – and trousers or a skirt.
The spokesman added: “The average family spends more than £320 a year on uniforms for up to 12-year-olds.
“With the flat rate from George, spend on uniforms could be as low as £32 a year – saving a family up to £290 at a time when many are really feeling the pinch of the credit crunch.”
In 2007 the equivalent school uniform was £6.25 and in 2005 it was £10.25, the Asda spokesman said.
The £4 price relates to a uniform of: polo shirt 50p, skirt/trousers £1.75 and sweatshirt £1.75.
Retailers annually compete to offer low prices to parents ahead of the new school year. This year sees a number of high street stores offer three-for-two promotion across all schoolwear for a limited period in a bid to compete with the supermarket chains.
9 Comments
That’s wonderful news. Asda are taking their customers’ economic situation into consideration. At £4 it’s a bargain, yet they must still be making profit. Just goes to show how much the other department stores actually rip us off!
They can do it as a loss-leader. How many parents will go into the shop and walk out with just the cheap uniform? And how many will buy other stuff while they are there?
im a single parent and i wouldnt even think about gettin kids uniforms from asda they just look cheap and tacky plus they srink in the drier when they put a clean uniform on every day you need the drier
I would like to know how much the kids in Asia get paid to make them? Its not about price but ethics, think before you buy!
RichTee, I was just thinking the same question. I welcome lower prices as long as they are ethical and don’t marginalise smaller retailers by creating unfair competition. Now, if clothes can be bought cheaper, why can’t things like DVD’s and computer games?
RichTee - I for one don’t check around for the conditions of the workers that supply each company I buy from. You can of course do so, and perhaps can afford to buy higher priced goods. But cheap goods seem to be what people want.
You may buy 4 lots at £4 through the year but spend that little extra you will get better quality that lasts!
I too ask the questions; how much are the kids in the Asian sweatshops getting paid? And what about the quality?
Like Tesco, Asda don’t seem to care about ethical trading. Whether it’s exploiting cheap foreign labour or suffocating local high street traders with their unfair competition, these companies are only interested in huge profits and their shareholders.
Yes, times maybe hard for most of us, but the way some of the supermarket chains do their business leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
Ok, so research the supplier before you buy. Its up to you.
Or buy only where you know for certain the suppliers provide products using ethical trading. Ethics seems to come a poor second to affordability in this country.