Marks & Spencer launches pre-loved school uniform scheme with eBay and Oxfam

Marks & Spencer has expanded its long-standing pre-loved fashion take-back scheme, 'Shwopping', to include dedicated points for school uniforms this summer in partnership with eBay and Oxfam.

Customers are encouraged to drop-off hand-me-down quality school uniform into M&S Shwop boxes in 200 stores this summer and in return members of the Marks & Spencer loyalty scheme will receive 20% of selected kidswear.

Uniform that passes the 'hand-me-down quality test' will be given a second life in an Oxfam shop and, for the first time, made available on a dedicated pre-loved school uniform shop on eBay. By adding online giant eBay into the partnership for the first time, M&S is ensuring the pre-loved clothing is made as widely available as possible.

Every school uniform resold, whether through eBay or in an Oxfam shop, will raise funds for the charity and any items that are not re-sold with either be recycled or reused where possible. Customers can donate any item from any brand, including those with school badges, providing they are clean and of good quality.

M&S is the market leader in school uniform in the UK selling more than seven million items a year. This year it has protected the price on its school uniforms for the third year in a row and continues to make the items as durable as possible so they can be worn for as long as possible and handed down. To prolong the life of the items, the retailer uses stain resistant materials and adjustable hems and waistbands that grow with the child.

The Shwopping scheme was something of a trailblazer in the pre-loved fashion market and was launched in partnership with Oxfam in 2008. Since then it has collected more than 36 million items, which has contributed an estimated £23 million to the charity.

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, commented: “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.”