CWB102 Schoolwear Buyer

SCHOOLWEAR BUYER: THE LATEST NEWS AND OPINION FROM THE SCHOOLWEAR INDUSTRY

CURIOUS ORANJ

30: News 32: Brexit and business Industry views on Brexit and its potential effects on the schoolwear market

36: Twenty Questions Q&A with Luke Conod, owner of School Uniform Shop and winner of the Best Schoolwear Store category in the CWB Independent Retail Awards 2015

38: Shoes 4 School Camberley schoolwear retailer Brenda’s opens a standalone school shoe shop 40: A weaver’s tale Marton Mills enhances its offer through the buyout of textile supplier Cedric Roberts

45: The Schoolwear Show Preview of what will be on offer at this month’s show 56: Setting a new prestige The plans in store for UK school uniform manufacturer Prestige School Wear

58: BMB & SWI BMB (Blue Max Banner) on its acquisition of SWI Schoolwear 62: Talking Point Neil Ward, commercial director, Rowlinson Knitwear

OCTOBER 2016 - 29

WWW.CWB-ONLINE.CO.UK | SCHOOLWEAR

Schoolwear NEWS: The latest news from the schoolwear industry.

CHARLES KIRK INVESTS

SMALLS LAUNCHES BTS CAMPAIGN

Charles Kirk, UK manufacturer of specialised school knitwear, has invested over £100,000 in new knitting and embroidery machines as part of a continuous plant replacement programme.

The machines use the latest technology and will help the company continue to deliver high quality garments and embroidery, whilst reducing energy and waste.

“My family has been manufacturing toys and garments in the UK for over 150 years,” says Charles Kirk director Sarah Horton-Parsons. “I want to continue this tradition as I feel that we can offer a quality product, which is good value for money, as our garments are made with the best materials to give softness, durability and longevity.”

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Smalls, the British-designed merino clothing brand for children aged 0-14, has joined forces with Campaign For Wool on a Back to School and Eczema Awareness Campaign.

With new clinical research conducted in Australia revealing that superfine merino wool reduces the severity of paediatric mild-moderate atopic dermatitis, Smalls has partnered with the Campaign For Wool to raise awareness of the proven benefits of merino wool for eczema-prone wearers. The brand’s vests, for instance, are suitable for layering under school uniforms to help protect skin.

“We’re really excited that this new study is challenging the common misconception that wool is an irritant and exacerbates itchy and dry skin,” says Peter Ackroyd, COO for The Campaign For Wool. “The new research findings may help change the public perception of wool, describing it as not only a low allergy risk, but also a low irritant with a therapeutic effect.”

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CONTINUED GROWTH FOR ECOOUTFITTERS Reports by the British Skin Foundation reveal a dramatic rise in the number of children in the UK suffering from eczema and various skin complaints, with fabrics such as polyester known to irritate skin and aggravate the conditions. In response to this, EcoOutfitters launched three years ago offering GOTS certified, 100 per cent organic cotton everyday school uniform and made to order school specific products.

The brand has been well received, with sales going from strength to strength both in the UK and overseas, including orders from Japan and Bermuda. As a result, EcoOutfitters is introducing additional new fabrics, styles and colours to its offer.

EcoOutfitters’ offer includes polo shirts, sweatshirts, cardigans, fleeces, boys’ and girls’ trousers, skirts and pinafores featuring no chlorine based bleaches, synthetic dyes or other hazardous chemicals used during the fabric production process.

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NEWS IN BRIEF

30 - OCTOBER 2016

M&S LAUNCHES AUTISMFRIENDLY SCHOOLWEAR This Back to School saw Marks & Spencer (M&S) launch The Easy Dressing collection, the first mainstream range of autism-friendly schoolwear developed with the National Autistic Society.

The range is in response to the 70 per cent of autistic children that are educated in mainstream schools and required to wear a uniform every day. Many of these children experience sensory sensitivity to clothing, with others suffering motor skills problems that make small buttons difficult to manage.

To create a school uniform to overcome such problems, M&S’s Kidswear team consulted with professionals who work with autistic children to discover more about the sensory difficulties that can be caused by fabrics and standard clothing design. It also approached the National Autistic Society, who as well as providing advice, arranged for children at its Helen Allison School to work with M&S’s designers and tell them what they did and didn’t like about clothes – particularly things like “scratchy labels” and “fiddly fastenings”.

As well as working with the charity to develop The Easy Dressing collection, M&S is donating 10 per cent from every item sold to the National Autistic Society.

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— To mark this year’s 40th anniversary of Pod Footwear, the brand has produced its most comprehensive offer to date.

Collections include Back to School (available to view at this month’s Schoolwear Show), Pod Heritage, Podlers and most recently, the formal Paul O’Donnell line.

NEW FROM RESULT Result has added new items to its Youth & Junior range for school, which are all ready-to-brand and suitable for decoration.

Highlights include a new shower-andwindproof padded jacket with a hinged inner neck panel for self-branding. A gilet version is also available, with both styles offered in ages 2-3 up to 12-13 years.

New to kids’ headwear is the Junior Boston Printers Cap available in 10 colours and made from recycled materials. Decoration access is open and the decoration process is embroidery and transfer print. There is also a new Ocean Trapper Hat, a windproof deer stalker style. Finally, a new 2XS size has been added to the Junior Art Smock, which is suitable for direct print and digital transfer.

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— Epos and stock management solution provider Top to Toe has appointed Adam Bloom as its new sales team leader. Bloom will be in attendance at this month’s Schoolwear Show to meet customers and provide online demonstrations.

— For BTS 2017, global stationery brand Maped is launching Picnik, a range of easy-to-clean lunchtime items. Highlights include water bottles, lunch boxes and lunch bag sets in matching designs. The lunch box features three separate compartments and a twist lock lid, which opens in one easy motion.

The water bottle, meanwhile, has a patented anti-leak and anti-spill design to guarantee no mess.

SCHOOLWEAR | WWW.CWB-ONLINE.CO.UK

1880 CLUB INTRODUCES NEW TRADE SITE 1880 Club has launching a brand new trade customer support site, which will allow buyers to log in and check stock availability or process replenishment orders on a 24/7 basis.

Accessed via www.1880CLUB.com, the new system is designed to offer the same reliability as the former, with the addition of a richer, more visual experience and some added functionality.

Highlights include users being able to browse the full collection, check stock availability with more ease as well as being able to track orders and review order history online.

The new trade site is in addition to the company’s existing in-person and telephone sales and customer service offering.

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THE UNIFORM CHALLENGE The Schoolwear Association has pinpointed five key challenges facing schools, governors, parents and suppliers when it comes to school uniforms.

Government figures show the number of pupils attending England’s secondary schools is to rise by 20 per cent over the course of the next decade, with nearly 3.3 million pupils expected to be attending state-funded secondary schools by 2024, compared with just over 2.7 million in 2015. Schools don’t always get the timing right with suppliers, so with rising numbers of students needing to be kitted out, it is vital to work closely together and plan well in advance.

Pressure to reduce cost and price is compromising quality. Some stores are launching a price war in order to increase footfall by selling off-the-shelf school clothing. In turn, some schools are under unreasonable pressure to reduce uniform prices.

Schools must consider how to accommodate religious beliefs. Uniforms must be flexible enough to be able to meet the needs of everyone, without compromising the school’s identity.

Childhood obesity continues to increase in the UK, resulting in a need for schoolwear suppliers to stock a wide range of different shapes and sizes, including larger uniforms.

Finally, some schools are moving towards more gender neutral uniforms as part of a drive for the education system to be more open to children questioning their gender identity.

According to the Association, the important thing is not whether there are well-defined male and female versions of a uniform, but that the school retains a strict policy to ensure that everyone can wear the uniform in a way that contributes to the school’s identity and their sense of belonging to the school and its local community.

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— A new survey conducted by The Schoolwear Association shows uniform at England’s best state schools won’t drain parents’ pockets. The study of the top 20 state schools in England revealed the average cost of a complete outfit is less than £107 - 54p a day per school year.

SCHOOLWEAR ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN COMMENT: WHO NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY? I trust you have all had another successful Back to School. The last time I wrote a piece for CWB, it was just a couple of years after the collapse of some of the banks and the new coalition world was taking shape.

So what’s happened since then? (Apart from me just completing a 48th Back to School.) We got through the cotton crisis. Plastic bottles can be made into school uniform. Government has been driving Academy growth. The DfE Guidelines will become statutory. Retailers will have to be effective tenderers.

On top of all that, somehow we voted to leave the European Union. Who knows what the future holds, but in the short term it brings big challenges right through the supply chain. The next few years will likely be even more interesting.

Prices have been rising and are likely to continue to do so. When will sterling stop falling? The banks and economists say it might hit $1.10, or even lower. Sterling has been holding reasonably steady for a while now, but it has fallen around 18 per cent over the last year. Let’s see how it responds to Mr Hammond’s Autumn Statement.

Our schoolwear market is changing, and new supply models have been developing within the supply chain. You might say that we’ve seen it all before, and we have. Ignore them at your peril.

So, we have plenty of challenges to face, but how do we respond positively to them?

We all operate in a very effective and extremely competitive environment. There will be tough choices to make and the best way to make them work for you is to be sure you have all the latest information. There’s no room for complacency.

For me, we also have to look at how we can support the market we are working in.

What does that mean? Well, for a start, everyone, and I mean everyone, should be a member of the Schoolwear Association. It provides a voice, and much more, to independent businesses.

All suppliers should also be members of the National Children’s Wear Association (NCWA). Suppliers in particular need to be very aware of all the various technical standards and their implications for product design, development and performance.

Both associations are low cost to join and have critical influence in promoting best practice and market stability.

Essentially, we all have to take more responsibility; there has to be give as well as take. If we just take, the market will not flourish and business will suffer – everyone’s business!

As well as being part of trade associations, we should all subscribe to trade magazines and suppliers should regularly advertise in them, to ensure there can be even more vibrant coverage of this great market. Let’s all participate, with enthusiasm and determination.

The final part of the jigsaw is to make sure you attend The Schoolwear Show. Time spent there will be beneficial to your business. Plan for a longer day, even an extra one.

I’ll leave the final words to my wife, Pam. Taken from a poem she wrote to celebrate the 25th anniversary of David Luke nine years ago. How time passes when you’re having fun!

“Who knows what the future holds, or where the danger lurks. One thing we know full well, is that independence works.”

David Burgess Schoolwear Association chairman, NCWA treasurer and chairman of David Luke

OCTOBER 2016 - 31

WWW.CWB-ONLINE.CO.UK | OPINION

BREXIT AND BUSINESS Industry views on the EU referendum and the potential effects on the schoolwear market.

— DAVID BURGESS CHAIRMAN, SCHOOLWEAR ASSOCIATION

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HELEN SERRANO OWNER, SCHOOLTOGS, TEWKESBURY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE As retailers, we’re all waiting to learn the true effects of the referendum result, as we haven’t had any news on how it will really affect us. I think the US elections will affect business, depending on which way it goes.

Most fabric is traded in dollars, and so the value of the pound against the dollar is a major factor, just as the value of the pound is against the euro. It will be interesting to see what happens after the US elections, but until then, there’s not much we can plan for as it could all change again.

I think we’re all anticipating an inflation of prices, that much is certain. The question of who will absorb the extra cost is still unknown at this point. It’s a very uncertain time. Exportation and overseas trading will no doubt be affected most by the poor exchange rate and increased prices. This will have a knock-on effect to the other areas of business, too.

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“It’s a scarier world post-Brexit, but we all have to be brave and remain positive. We have a new Prime Minister and a new Education Secretary, Justine Greening, who has sensibly said that she is going to look at the strategies her department currently has in place before she changes anything.

Whenever there is a big change there are lots of opportunities and that is what we have to look at. There are downsides, such as the exchange rate, which will mean prices rise, but as the Governor of the Bank of England has said, there is not yet enough information about what will happen post-Brexit to make a sensible decision about the future. There are a lot of possibilities.

As an industry, we have to ensure we do a great job this year, to make sure we deliver in retail and manufacture and in all other areas. We have to make sure we deliver quality and value to parents. We know from a Department for Education survey that eight out of 10 parents are satisfied with the arrangements for uniform at their children’s schools, and we must all work to ensure that this continues.”

OPINION | WWW.CWB-ONLINE.CO.UK

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MARK STEVENSON MANAGING DIRECTOR, STEVENSONS

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RACHEL MCHUGH DIRECTOR, JOHN MCHUGH SCHOOLWEAR, STRETFORD, MANCHESTER

“At the moment we’re in the initial stages of post-Brexit so it’s hard to say how we feel for certain, as no one has been properly informed. As a business, we will experience the knock-on effects from Brexit. It’s hard to say what the definite effects will be, as we’re in no man’s land at the moment, with little information available as to how it will affect us. One thing that has already happened is that our suppliers have increased costs by five per cent. No doubt exportation and the overall cost of transportation will be affected further as time goes by. I think the industry as a whole will see a knock-on effect. Employment and business overseas will be effected. We’re in a period of uncertainty at the moment.”

NIGEL PLENDERLEITH CHIEF EXECUTIVE, BMB (BLUE MAX BANNER)

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The outcome of the referendum has started a series of shockwaves for the UK and I feel we are only experiencing the start of it. The uncertainty we are now operating in means we’re going to need to be agile and quick to adapt to the changes around us.

Our industry has been dependent upon imports for a long time now, and what is likely to be a prolonged period of sterling weakness means costs for everyone will increase. The dream of a resurgence in UK manufacturing to counter this would take many years of investment and training, and I would still be doubtful about how ready we are as a nation to pay what we should for our clothes.

As a business, we are planning forward for next year, modelling the different scenarios, working closely with our factories, and trying to keep the communication levels high with customers and staff through any changes. We are confident that there will be positive outcomes and opportunities that will arise; at David Luke, we’re all up for the challenge of seeking them out and sharing what we find.

“The biggest concern for the clothing industry is the devaluation of sterling. With around a 15 per cent devaluation in sterling against both the dollar and the euro, we face significant price pressure for 2017. Almost certainly there will be a correction once the terms of Brexit have been sorted out and the rates will improve, but this could take a while. So, in the coming years, we have to face the reality that the price of clothes will go up. Schoolwear suppliers do not have the high levels of margins and profitability to be able to absorb such increases like fashion companies might, so must decide upon what level of increase we pass on to our customers and over what period of time.

Ultimately, I think both suppliers and retailers will ease the burden of price increases over a period of time, rather than put the full increase on with immediate effect. However, with standards of living and minimum wages increasing across the globe, it is not only the exchange rate we need to be looking at. We could find ourselves in the perfect storm over the next two years, whereby prices actually have to increase by over 20 per cent to cover factory increases as well as the currency issue. We can only hope that the Brexit terms are negotiated quickly, or maybe the whole Europe project falls down, at which point we could be talking about prices then decreasing. Either way, it’s going to be a rollercoaster for the next two to three years.”

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KATHRYN SHUTTLEWORTH MANAGING DIRECTOR, DAVID LUKE

“The implications of the Brexit referendum have not yet been fully understood. No one expected it, and no one was prepared for it. However, the immediate effect was the weakening of the British pound, which has had significant implications for BMB as most of our product is purchased in foreign currency. The consequence is an increase in our buying costs, which increases our stock levels and cash requirement. Whilst everyone is focused on the euro and dollar, the impact had also affected other currencies, and this has not been helped by the downgrading of the British credit rating. We are in the market of selling school uniform and not gambling on currency, but we will need to look very closely at our forward currency buying policy. Our buying focus needs to be on stability in risk averse countries and currencies, as we can’t just pass on increases on as they occur. Management of stock and forecasting will be critical over the coming months and we will try to buy as efficiently as we can to keep prices where they need to be.

Other concerns include customers having to pay more for the same volume of product, which ties up more cash and thus could affect their ability to pay. If consumers buy more from supermarkets then the independent retailer will suffer. Some may take the decision to compromise on quality to lower their selling prices. It is a concern to BMB, and undoubtedly to the industry as a whole, as there has already been pressure on school uniform prices. It will be interesting to see how the supermarkets respond with their pricing strategy. There is also the wider implication for how families will be affected as wages will not rise in line with price increases. How people manage their household budget is going to be key.”

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OCTOBER 2016 - 33

WWW.CWB-ONLINE.CO.UK | OPINION

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ANDY SMITH SALES DIRECTOR, WILLIAM TURNER

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34 - OCTOBER 2016

MATTHEW EASTER MANAGING DIRECTOR, TRUTEX “We have to accept, for better or worse, the result of the referendum. Whilst there is a degree of uncertainty in the short term that will drive some business decisions, the biggest step change as a result of us moving to leave the EU is likely to be the long-term devaluation of the pound sterling against all currencies, but the US dollar in particular. There has already been a significant downward movement over the last 12 months, and the pound is forecast to continue weakening against other currencies in the next few years. This has increased the cost of most, but not all, schoolwear made outside the UK and paid for in foreign currencies, which will be a challenge for everyone. However, it’s important to remember that the currency effect will impact all imported goods, not just schoolwear.

As a company, we aren’t making any changes, or taking any preventative measures for the business, as a direct result of Brexit. We will continue to manage our currency exposure as previously, accepting the fact that the costs have increased significantly as a result of the weakening pound. There will still be the same requirement for schoolwear across the UK and it is up to all of us to manage our businesses accordingly to adjust to the changing market conditions.”

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“The decision to leave the EU is going to have far-reaching consequences for the economy and for the schoolwear industry, specifically in the next couple of years. Inflation rates of four per cent and the possibility of the planned living wage increase being scrapped, combined with a predicted rise in unemployment, means that there will be less disposable income to go around, so parents will probably buy fewer items and make school uniform last longer.

HSBC is forecasting that the US dollar currency rate to sterling will be $1.20 by the end of 2016 and $1.10 by the end of 2017. The impact of weak sterling will be massive for anyone who manufactures overseas – it is very bad news for importers and for most people in the schoolwear market. Based on previous challenges in the economy, everyone in the supply chain took a hit to minimise the impact for consumers as much as possible. We also expect that this won’t just affect schoolwear – all clothing will cost more by 2017.

We have already seen fuel prices increase, as well as the costs of taking holidays abroad, where you get much less for your pound than previously. This may appear pessimistic, but we prefer to be realistic about the challenges ahead. At Rowlinson Knitwear, we will continue to focus on premium quality products and great service.”

“Like many companies across the country, we didn’t anticipate that we would vote to leave the EU. However, following the result, we have done what we can at this initial stage to prepare for the challenges ahead, but also try to make sure we are well placed to capitalise on the opportunities.

Fortunately, we have been manufacturing our ties and scarves in our UK factories since 1969, so these products are, by and large, unaffected by currency fluctuations, especially as our main customer base is also the UK. However, due to the significant decline of the British pound against the Chinese RMB, we have reluctantly had to increase our prices for imported products – bags, predominantly. This price change came into effect from 1 October.

We’ve always been proud to employ local people and now have 125 dedicated employees, with 53 per cent of our staff being a part of the company for 10 years or more. Over the last few years, we have recruited some skilled machinists from Eastern Europe; it is difficult to foresee how Brexit will affect future staffing long term. In the meantime, we’ll continue to support our workers and prepare to adapt to any changes to ensure any disruption is kept to an absolute minimum. We hope that in due course, it may now be possible for the Government to remove VAT on all school uniform, not just smaller sizes.

Our main concern is the prospect of the vote triggering a recession, which would damage confidence. We are about to invest a significant amount in a new tie factory in Lancashire and we would, of course, rather that was in a positive economic environment. But, having been in the industry for nearly 50 years, we’ve gone through many ups and downs before, so we feel robust enough to withstand any economic turbulence that Brexit may throw up. For now though, until 2019, it is business as usual.”

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DONALD MOORE MANAGING DIRECTOR, ROWLINSON KNITWEAR

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WWW.CWB-ONLINE.CO.UK | CWB RETAIL AWARDS

TWENTY QUESTIONS WITH...

Luke Conod, owner of School Uniform Shop and winner of the Best Schoolwear Store category in the CWB Independent Retail Awards 2015.

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1. What is an average day in your job?

For me, there is no ‘average day’; every day brings new things. One day I can be visiting schools to help create and decide a new item of uniform, and another day I can be doing deliveries in the van. No two days are the same, which I love!

2. Was retail something you always wanted to work in?

Not really, I sort of fell into it when I was 14 years old and had a part-time job at Woolworths. When I left school, I joined its management training scheme. I was one of the youngest Woolworths managers, and things just progressed from there.

3. What do you love most about your job?

I love the variety. Like I said, no two working days are the same. I love meeting new people on a daily basis and attending new, exciting product launches. Seeing customers leave our store happy is also something I love.

4. And your least favourite part?

Definitely the paperwork. I would much rather be out there on the ‘front line’, so to speak.

5. What motivates you?

A sense of achievement. We have worked with Hereford Rotary Club to build a school in Nepal, which is an incredible achievement. I recently went out to the Calais Jungle to help build accommodation for the refugees.

Knowing we have helped many people, and children especially, across the world is enough motivation for me and the team.

6. What is your greatest career achievement?

I think that would have to be building the school in Nepal with Hereford Rotary Club. The

school was officially opened in 2012, and has helped more than 3,000 students. We have also worked alongside other charities, such as the Gloag Foundation, Care 4 Calais, Stella in Cambodia and People in Motion, to name just a few. We believe in ‘people, planet, profit’.

7. Do you have a business mentor?

I have lots! Most of my friends and the people I mix with are business owners themselves; we bounce off each other and share ideas and inspiration to help each other out.

8. What do you like most about the schoolwear industry?

I like interacting with the schools themselves.

They are very supportive of us, as we are of them. We work together to create new school uniforms and source and produce them ethically and sustainably. There is a massive sense of teamwork within the schoolwear industry.

9. Who would be your dream customer?

We are lucky enough to have supplied school uniform for the Harry Potter films, a TV advert for KFC, The A Word on BBC One starring Christopher Eccleston, Matilda the Musical and more recently, the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child stage show.

10. What do you look for in a supplier?

All of our suppliers are ethical and sustainable.

We carefully handpick the best brands to work with that fit in with our ethical policy. This means that no child labour is used, working conditions are safe and hygienic, working hours are not excessive and regular breaks are implemented, wages are of the industry or country norm, employment is freely chosen, no person will be taken against their will or forced to work and factories undergo rigorous checks and audits to make sure they are a safe and secure structure.

11. If you launched your own schoolwear brand, what would it offer?

It would need to be both ethical and sustainable. We have created our own brand of T-shirts for our FIT Menswear Store, which are ethically sourced by the brand AIM Apparel.

AIM Apparel is based in Cambodia and its goal is to provide education and vocation for young women who have been subjected to sex trafficking.

12. What’s your strategy to create a positive customer experience?

We want to make the mundane job of purchasing school uniform more joyful for a child, an experience they will remember as pleasant, which will in turn make them want to come back to us again. Last year we relocated our shop to a bigger and brighter store, all on

one floor. It provides easier access and implements everything possible to give the customer the best experience including a play area, customer toilets and changing rooms – even collection by car. We always strive to offer customers the best shopping experience possible.

13. What is the strangest customer request you have had?

Well, it wasn’t from the school uniform side of our business, but on our jeans website (www.buy-jeans.net). A customer requested that her deceased husband was buried in double denim. Denim jacket and jeans. It’s definitely a look.

14. What is the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?

Sales are vanity, profits are sanity.

15. And the worst?

Always trust your bank manager.

16. What do you wish you had known before you started your business?

That you don’t have to do everything yourself. I think it is important to build a team around you that you can trust.

17. How do you find inspiration?

Listening to others gives me inspiration.

Friends and family are always on hand to offer advice and inspiration, sometimes unintentionally. I also think when you visit other retailers who are doing inspirational things, you can learn a lot from that.

18. What’s your productivity secret?

It has to be dealing with things straight away.

There’s nothing worse than not doing something there and then and having it playing on your mind for the rest of the day.

Having a good group of colleagues allows me to be as productive as possible.

19. Where do you see your business in five years’ time?

Leading the way and championing ethical and sustainable schoolwear retailing. It’s not acceptable for larger corporate companies to be paying their workers so little in factories across the world – workers who cannot afford to send their own children to school, whilst working to make the school uniform for our children.

20. What difference has being a CWB Independent Retail Award winner made?

It’s made all the difference to School Uniform Shop. New brands have noticed us and want us to work with them. We have told all of the local schools we work with, which has given them confidence in us that we are leading the way in ethical and sustainable uniform. Thank you CWB, this year has been a blast!

Best schoolwear store dent Indepen il REta s Award

•2015•

36 - OCTOBER 2016

Winner

in association with CWB Magazine. #wearthecrown

WWW.CWB-ONLINE.CO.UK | PROFILE

SHOES 4 SCHOOL Camberley school uniform retailer Brenda’s has stepped up the competition in the local area by opening a standalone school shoe shop. CWB’s Laura Turner speaks to business partner Steve Optix.

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Brenda’s in Camberley, Surrey, is a well-established and highly regarded school uniform independent with a heritage that dates back to 1949. Today, Steve Optix, grandson of the business’s founder Brenda Francis, is at the helm alongside his mother and business partner Jan Green. Over the years, Optix has honed the business with a proactive, forward thinking approach, combining the best of bespoke customer service with the convenience of digital and e-commerce.

Optix’s latest enhancement to the business is somewhat different, however. In fact, it’s a whole new retail venture in the form of a school shoe shop, Shoes 4 School, which opened in July opposite Brenda’s.

“It’s down to the opportunity that presented itself to us: the location of Brenda’s in relation to the new shop, our footfall readymade to convert, and the lack of a local supplier,” says Optix, on the motivation behind Shoes 4 School’s opening.

“We’ve sold school shoes as an add-on in our main store for over 10 years, but as we’ve taken on more and more school uniforms, the space to sell footwear diminished almost entirely. It pained us that we had a readymade footfall of customers wanting to purchase school shoes at the same time as uniforms, but because we didn’t have space for the stock, they were having to purchase shoes elsewhere.”

Shoes 4 School is the solution to this dilemma, allowing Optix to capitalise on demand. Now, he is able to direct customers purchasing uniform at the main store straight across the road for their footwear requirements at Shoes 4 School.

38 - OCTOBER 2016

Completely tailored to the needs of the school footwear customer, Shoes 4 School currently stocks POD, Just Good and Hi-Tec and also has accounts with K-Swiss and Kickers. In addition to footwear, the store carries related accessories, including a large range of school bags, socks, tights, drawstring bags and footwear related sundries.

“All of our shoes are aimed solely at school use – durable, hardwearing, stylish and not too contemporary – with some strong traditional styles,” says Optix. “All of the shoes are either a leather upper, or a full grain leather, with an overall price range of £19.50 up to £55,” he continues. “We stock boys’ shoes from a junior 9 to an adult 11.5, and girls’ shoes from a junior 7 through to an adult 9, covering Velcro, slip-on, lace up and T-bars.

We also sell trainers, plimsolls, wellingtons, ballet shoes and winter boots.”

While some footwear stores’ USP is in being completely customer centric, accommodating all specialist footwear requests, Shoes 4 School intends to provide a more straightforward service: a core range of functional school shoes at good prices, in a convenient setting, and with a basic fitting service; Shoes 4 School’s niche isn’t in width fittings nor overly complex sizing.

“We have a local footwear independent within five miles who is a lot more specialised than us and covers a larger range of requirements across children’s footwear,” says Optix. “We know the owners – they’re lovely people – and our ranges don’t cross over much, if at all. Our aim is to take market share from the well-known high street retailers.”

Displays of shoes feature around the store, which totals around 800 sq ft, with large

product detail signs for clarity. A telling sign of a schoolwear retailer’s mind being behind the shop layout are the efforts made to reduce waiting times and provide a speedy service. All stock, for instance, is available on the shop floor, together with plenty of seating, thus ensuring busy customers who don’t need assistance can self-serve if they so choose.

In addition to the convenience of its proximity to Brenda’s, Optix is further incentivising sales at Shoes 4 School via 10 per cent discount cards, which are being given to every customer at the till point in the main store. “It’s an unlimited use card aimed at getting customers in the door,” he says.

“Shoes 4 School is directly opposite our schoolwear store, one of the main reasons we considered this venture, so we literally can just point across the road to show customers where it is. Thus far, we’ve found customers very happy and relieved at not having to trudge into town centres to queue with ticketing systems.

It’s a daily learning curve, but we’re enjoying engaging with parents to find out what they want.”

Having stocked some school footwear in the past, Optix already has some long established footwear supplier accounts, picking up others in recent years through the Schoolwear Show and Moda Footwear.

Going forward, his aim is to frequent more related trade shows to ensure the store is offering the best products on the market at the right price points. As digital plays such a large part in Brenda’s service, online is also in the plan for Shoes 4 School and will be fully addressed when the Back to School rush subsides. In the meantime, the store can be found on Facebook.

Candy Bows School Hair Accessories High quality handtied and handmade hair accessories suitable for School using both grosgrain and gingham ribbon – using over 130 colours we are able to produce hair bows, hair bobbles and headbands that match and compliment uniforms, all at an affordable price point.

New for 2016 – headbands and hair scrunchies produced with the superior woven school fabric your uniform is currently made from, enabling you to have the perfect ‘made to match’ accessories.

For further information please contact: Charlotte Mackenzie info@candybows.co.uk – 0113 2037194

WWW.CWB-ONLINE.CO.UK | PROFILE

A WEAVER’S TALE This summer, Marton Mills, a Yorkshire family-owned weaving mill, bought out textile supplier Cedric Roberts. CWB discovers more about the development and how it will help further enhance Marton Mills’ offer.

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Founded in 1931 on Marton Street in Skipton, North Yorkshire, Marton Mills is a business steeped in tradition and heritage, yet one that wholeheartedly embraces innovation and evolution. Constant change and investment is in the company’s DNA, making it ever-responsive to market demands.

In the 1980s, the business moved to Pool Mills in Wharfedale, West Yorkshire, where it continues to thrive today. Through respect for traditional values and a continuous investment programme in technology, plant machinery and people, it has evolved into a strong family business with a laudable reputation as a British weaver of quality fabric. In addition to its proactive approach and a strong management team, its ‘Made in Britain’ status is the other key factor behind its success, along with short lead times due to flexibility of production, no minimum order levels on stock supported lines and an in-house design team creating bespoke fabrics.

“Marton Mills is one of a few remaining British mills,” says company MD Laura Watts.

“Operating 24 hours a day, six days a week, we produce in excess of 20,000 metres of fabric each week. The mill provides a fully integrated service; all processes are managed in-house ensuring continuity of quality, supply and service. By offering a stock supported range with no minimum order level, we are able to provide large scale flexibility in production, from bespoke short runs through to bulk supply in a variety of compositions and designs. This, in addition to the skill of the in-house design team that create bespoke designs for schools, gives a level of responsiveness and scope for innovation seldom found in the textile industry.”

In terms of schoolwear, Marton Mills specialises in Trevira Perform yarn, which is 40 - OCTOBER 2016

used extensively in poly wool blazer fabrics. Its properties ensure the garments retain their shape, are easy care, low-pill, hard-wearing and crease resistant. Having a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the schoolwear market ensures that all fabric woven – from poly viscose tartan for skirts to pure wool tweed for blazers – is of the optimum standard required by schools today.

This is where Marton Mills’ recent buyout of textile supplier Cedric Roberts comes into play, promising to enhance the company’s schoolwear offer even further.

Established in 1992 following the takeover of Courtaulds by Drummonds, Cedric Roberts mainly supplied pool cloth and later expanded into the blazer and uniform trade, providing Meltons and face finish fabrics. Due to the price sensitive trade, it had to start importing partially manufactured fabric from Europe, but maintained control over dyeing and finishing in the UK. Having been a customer of Cedric Roberts for many years, Marton Mills knew it would be a good fit for the company and so two years ago, it made a proposition to him when he was ready to retire.

“The deal completed on 31 July, with Cedric Roberts continuing as a consultant offering his technical expertise,” says Laura Watts.

The buyout, and the subsequent addition of the wool Melton range, will further extend Marton Mills’ offer to the schoolwear industry.

The high quality fabric, which is woven in Europe and dyed and finished in the UK, perfectly complements Marton Mill’s wool range. It includes luxury blends in a range of weights suitable for blazers and outerwear.

“The launch of new-style academies has the potential to drive schoolwear sales, as

many of these institutions have introduced stricter uniform policies, with pupils required to dress more smartly,” says Watts, on her view of the current school uniform market. “There is obvious uncertainty following Brexit; fabric costs have increased due to the exchange rate affecting raw materials. It will no doubt affect offshore CMT costs, too. It would be exciting to see the return of more garments made in the UK as a result.

“The schoolwear market has been gradually changing as a result of the rising influence of the main supermarket chains, which has led to the price of school uniform garments falling over the last few years,” she continues. “Aggressive price wars between supermarkets have meant that other key players in the sector, such as high street retailers, department stores and specialist retailers have been affected.”

As well as the buyout, Marton Mills has enjoyed other exciting news recently, receiving the Family Business of the Year Award 2016 in the Luxury Goods section. Recognised for its diverse role in the broader sector of textile manufacturing, Marton Mills was judged to be demonstrating a clear commitment, not just to the future of the business, but the sector as a whole. The business also won the Made in UK category at the 2016 Professional Clothing Awards.

So what next for the award–winning weaving mill? “The plan is to consolidate on recent growth and look to new markets,” concludes Watts. “Schoolwear fabric accounts for over half the business at Marton Mills and remains the priority. The aim is to provide an unrivalled level of service in this industry.

Having recently exhibited at Premiere Vision in Paris, this opens up the global market in both fashion and high street brands.”

New products and innovations / 2017 brochures and prices New suppliers / Existing suppliers face to face Three great days of networking opportunities Extra parking will be in place for all 3 days

Please register by Thursday 6th October www.theschoolwearshow.co.uk

THE SCHOOLWEAR ASSOCIATION Presents

TICKETS

£50

+VAT

PER HEAD

THE SCHOOLWEAR SHOW | WWW.CWB-ONLINE.CO.UK

THE SCHOOLWEAR SHOW

9-11 OCTOBER CRANMORE PARK SOLIHULL www.theschoolwearshow.co.uk

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1880 CLUB

1880 CLUB, part of the Douglas & Grahame brand house, prides itself on being “built for the classroom but durable enough for the rigours of the playground”. 1880 CLUB schoolwear is a range of garments that are easy-iron and enhanced with Teflon, offering improved laundering, increased durability and resistance to staining. The company develops the fabrics and designs every garment in the range for its ability to perform well – even beyond reasonable wear and tear.

The current offer spans blazers, shirts, ties, trousers, skirts and knitwear, all of which are available in a wide choice of colours to suit any school and can be adapted to specific institutions with bespoke embroidered badges and trims.

Stand 3

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AWDis ACADEMY FROM PENCARRIE

Available from PenCarrie, AWDis Academy is a new, dedicated schoolwear brand with five key styles for primary and secondary school. Featuring an extended colour palette of 14 colours made up of the classic school shades, along with some contemporary additions, it offers a smart, easy-care choice. Just Cool by AWDis offers cool comfort wearability for sports, work and play. With a wide selection of styles and colours, the array of performance fabrics makes the garments ideal for sports clubs, PE kits, clubs and teams. Just Hoods, meanwhile, offers hoodies, ‘zoodies’ (zip-up hoodies), jackets and casualwear. A number of new styles have also been added to the varsity range, including the Urban Varsity Hoodie and new SupaSoft Hoodie styles.

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BMB

The Prestwick Pinafore is the latest addition to BMB’s (Blue Max Banner) growing tartan stock supported range, which now incorporates a pinafore dress, a kilt, available in both junior and senior sizes, and a skirt.

The Prestwick, a box-pleat pinafore with a fully lined bodice, internal waist adjuster, two-shoulder fastening and side zip, is available to order immediately from stock in five yarn dyed tartan fabric options – bottle, grey, maroon, red and blue multi-prints – and in sizes 3/4 to 13 years. All BMB tartans are made from a durable 65/35 per cent poly/viscose combination fabric, and are designed to colour-match the stock-supported knitwear and blazer collections.

A new slim-fit shirt and blouse also features for BTS 2017. Available in twin packs, the slim-fit designs are constructed from a durable 65/35 per cent poly/cotton fabric and are non-iron. The girls’ blouse has a narrow modesty placket with seam and dart detailing for an extra flattering fit.

Stand 50A/44

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CANDY BOWS

Candy Bows offers high quality handtied and handmade hair accessories suitable for school. Using grosgrain and gingham ribbon, and over 130 colours, the brand produces hair bows, ‘bobbles’ and headbands to match and complement uniforms. New items include headbands and hair scrunchies produced with the fabric of a school’s uniform, enabling the perfect ‘made to match’ accessory.

Stand 46

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BALMORAL KNITWEAR

Balmoral Knitwear utilises state-of-the-art knitting technology, high quality materials and three generations of knitwear experience. A wide range of styles, striping, special shades and an extensive range of yarns are available. The company also supplies bespoke corporate uniform knitwear for businesses and has produced cricket sweaters for prestigious teams, including Pakistan. Stock products have no minimum order quantity and include school pullovers and cardigans, as well as polo shirts, sweatshirts and fleeces.

Decoration is available via Balmoral’s in-house embroidery capacity or heat transfer printing if garments are suitable.

Stand 14A

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CHADWICK TEAMWEAR

This year marks Chadwick Teamwear’s fourth consecutive Schoolwear Show since launching its stock range of unbranded performance sportswear six years ago. Utilising its knowledge and expertise as a performance fabric supplier, it offers a 38-piece range of key school products, with bestsellers including base layers, girls’ leggings, mid layers, T-shirts, polos, rugby and training shorts, skorts, technical jackets and pants. New schoolwear products include a quarter zip midlayer in seven colour combinations, a sub coat, skinny pant and school bag. The company is also launching its new PE range of girls’ and boys’ polos with matching skorts/shorts in 10 colour combinations.

Stand 12

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DAVID LUKE

New and improved from David Luke for BTS 2017 are new senior grey suits from stock. The modern grey jackets for boys and girls can be mixed and matched with any of David Luke’s stock trousers or skirts, to create a smart suit ideal for secondary schools, sixth forms and academies. The jackets are designed following the popular specification and style features of the supplier’s Eco-jackets, and are made from the same durable fabric as its trousers and skirts. Both jackets are available from stock in a 26”–52” chest.

Meanwhile, David Luke’s girls’ junior skirt range continues to grow with the addition of the new junior day skort – an innovative twist on a classic girl’s skirt. The practical alternative offers a neat wrap-over front with a pair of tailored shorts behind, visible from the back. With demand already high, the junior day skort will be available in grey from stock, plus limited stock in black and navy in ages 2/3 up to 11/12 years. Other additions to the girls’ skirt range include a new junior version of the senior pleated skirt style available in grey, black and navy in ages 3/4 to 12/13 years.

Elsewhere, David Luke has introduced two new colours to its large range of non-colour fade sweat shades, with dark purple and dark green available for 2017. All of the above new products sit within David Luke’s Eco-uniform range, made with a percentage of polyester that comes from recycled plastic bottles.

Stand 49

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CHARLES KIRK

With over 75 years’ manufacturing experience, Charles Kirk produces stock and bespoke garments in its factory in Worthing, West Sussex. By investing in the latest embroidery and knitting machine technology, it continues to produce high quality garments at affordable prices. Its most popular range is UK Heritage Definition acrylic knitwear, which is now complemented by COOLACRYL, developed to replicate the same performance at a competitive price. Blends of wool/acrylic and cotton/acrylic, including the popular COOLFLOW, are available from both UK and offshore production. The Colour + sweatshirt range also continues to expand as schools demand higher standards in colour retention. Charles Kirk offers a five-day embroidery and printing service on all stock garments, all year round, including Russell Europe’s Jerzees Schoolgear and the popular Result jackets, which are adorned in-house. Charles Kirk is using the latest technology to improve quality, reduce waste and upgrade existing styles, with examples to be presented at the show.

Stand 32

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ESKIMO EPOS

Eskimo EPOS offers IT solutions for the modern schoolwear retailer, providing effortless stock control, both in-store and online, for single and multi-store businesses across the UK. Its intuitive EPOS system provides a simple-to-use interface, helping store staff provide customers with a pleasant shopping experience. With the Eskimo Back Office Toolkit at the heart of the system, retailers can be assured of efficient stock control and effective communication with customers and suppliers alike. If integrated with an Eskimo e-commerce site, the retailer will be able to control both in-store and online sales from one database.

With tablet computer technology now often the preferred hardware option, retailers can also enjoy the benefits of an Eskimo EPOS system on a Windows tablet. Eskimo’s recommended tablet, which be on its stand at the show, can be used in conjunction with the mPop mini cash drawer and built-in receipt printer, providing a solution for selling onsite at schools.

Stand 13

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FALCON SPORTSWEAR

Falcon Sportswear has been supplying stock backed school sportswear, including a range of basic sportswear for primary schools, for over 40 years.

This year will see the introduction of new outerwear, which will complement Falcon Sportswear’s popular EncoRe range.

Stand 23

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GOLDEN FINISHES

Golden Finishes has been finishing and making badges since 1989.

Since then, technology has moved on, and now the Cardiff manufacturer produces a range of promotional textiles for the industry.

Schools have always played a large part in the range, with embroidered badges and pennants being the most popular, but also house colour patches, music stands, flags and even sashes for events being produced. Dye sublimation has become one of the leading advances in technology, making it an ideal option for highly complex designs that are required for badges and pennants.

Golden Finishes prides itself on manufacturing in the UK, employing a team of talented textile experts, something that South Wales has a long heritage in. By keeping costs down and closely monitoring the processes, prices have remained competitive and lead times rapid when compared to buying off-shore.

Stand 50D

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GYMPHLEX

At this year’s show, Gymphlex’s GFORCE Teamwear range will showcase the work the company has done with schools across the UK, helping sports teams to bring their school’s identity to life through branded and customised garments. Alongside these case studies, the entire GFORCE range will be presented, ranging from tracksuits and polo tops through to core base layer clothing and new products including the Swimming T-Bag T-Short and fully customisable dye-sublimated hoodie.

Stand 48

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HALBRO

Halbro is launching a fresh new look for its brand, with a new logo reflecting both the heritage and future of the company “at the forefront of new innovations in sportswear.” Halbro is ready to meet demand for BTS 2017 with its most comprehensive range of high-performance, technical sports clothing. It will be showcasing additions to its exclusive Champion range, which has been enhanced with the option to include digital print panels on all Champion garments: games jersey and shorts, polo, T-shirt, hoody, rain jacket, tracksuit, training top, skort and hockey/netball top.

This offers each school the opportunity to achieve a fully coordinated look and create its own identity. Other services include a large stock range held at the brand’s UK warehouse, an in-house bespoke design service, and embroidery and garment embellishment.

Stand 9

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MAGICFIT

Magicfit is a leading manufacturer of school socks in the UK. A one-stop supplier for all schoolwear needs, it offers ranges of bespoke uniform socks, girls’ tights and team sports and games socks, along with quality core basic multipack school socks.

BTS 2017 marks major improvements in Magicfit’s school knitwear offer, with subtle new style details to ribs and welts heralding the launch of unique ‘colour-lock technology’. This innovation is the result of the company’s significant investment in research with expert science houses in Geneva and New York. The introduction of this technology increases the colour fastness of the knitwear, eliminating colour fading regardless of daily washing and wear.

Stand 34

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MACRON SCHOOLWEAR

This first-time exhibitor is a leading Italian sportswear brand supplying teams at the top level of rugby and football, and internationally with Scotland rugby.

Macron Schoolwear can offer bespoke, sublimated sportswear from its UK factory with fast turnaround times. Key products available to view will include the Draco Hydrotex Polo shirt, Rigel Evertex 150g round neck shirt, Mesa Evertex 150g sports short, Tarim ¼ zip Tussuto Poly Dry Mid Layer, Rayon sock and sublimated bespoke reversible games shirts.

Stand 14

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MARTON MILLS

Marton Mills was founded in 1931 to manufacture textiles. The company produces a wide variety of fabrics, ranging in composition and structure from plain weaves and twills to tartan checks and stripes.

Stand 47

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MAPED HELIX

Helix has been a trusted brand for over 125 years; now part of the Maped family, it has become a world leader in the design and production of school supplies. This year’s latest additions to Helix’s range include the Themed Maths Sets, which feature one of three designs, with each set including a ruler that incorporates stencil designs. A selection of new fashion pencil cases are also available. The Oxford brand has been used by children for generations and is best known for the Oxford Maths Set. The brand has since evolved to include everything needed for school, from pencil cases and colouring to fountain pens and drafting equipment. New to the Maped range is the Tatoo Teen collection with three designs to choose from and which includes matching canister sharpeners, erasers, fountain pens, folding rulers, pencil cases and scissors.

Additionally, for 2017, Maped is set to launch Picnik, a range of lunchtime items including water bottles, lunch boxes and lunch bag sets in matching designs.

Stand 21

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NATIONAL WEAVING

National Weaving offers a variety of options including woven name tapes, iron-on name tapes and stick-on name labels, as well as a full range of personalised school accessories. Name label printers are available to allow shops to provide quick and easy labelling for customers. Most orders are shipped the same day, and can be posted to the shop address or direct to the customer at no charge.

Stand 6 50 - OCTOBER 2016

THE SCHOOLWEAR SHOW | WWW.CWB-ONLINE.CO.UK

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PRESTIGE SCHOOL WEAR

Prestige School Wear is relaunching the Glengarnock range of corduroy lined shorts and elastic back ‘trews’, which will be made in its Glasgow factory and stock supported in grey and navy in mock fly and zip fly styles. Also available are aprons, Bermudas, blazers, blouses, cardigans, culottes, dresses, hair accessories, jackets, art smocks, pinafores, shirts, shorts, skirts, trousers and waistcoats.

Stand 7

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OPRO

The new Opro Self-Fit mouthguard range offers four levels of protection – Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum – spanning basic to ultimate protection. A 12-month dental warranty is included, and in the unlikely event of accidental tooth injury, the owner may claim towards the cost of remedial treatment.

New for BTS 2017, Opro is teaming up with antimicrobial product protection specialist, Biomaster, to offer antimicrobial protection in all levels of Self-Fit mouthguards from Silver upwards. Selected models include an antimicrobial case. The additive is odour and taste free and inhibits growth of bacteria by up to 99.99 per cent. Silver protection level flavoured mouthguards are also available in adult and junior in bubble gum, mint, or lemon flavour.

Additionally, Opro will be showcasing its Maru Core and Club range featuring garments designed for schools and swim clubs. In a choice of solid colours, the majority of items are made from durable Pacer fabric, which is fast-drying, 100 per cent chlorine-resistant and offers total UV protection.

Stand 11

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POD FOOTWEAR

Continuing with its ‘Quality you can trust’ campaign, the Pod BTS 2017 focus is on providing high quality and reliable footwear at a competitive price point. Using the brand’s 40 years of experience, the philosophy to support and protect developing feet remains strong, with the use of high grade leather uppers, breathable linings and sturdy flex soles. Highlights include the new Earth range and girls’ classic Mary-Jane and T-bar styles. Sizes start from infants through to an XL EU52 Stand 19

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RESULT

Result’s Youth & Junior range covers a variety of multi-purpose garments constructed to withstand everyday school and leisure activities. New is the shower-and-windproof padded jacket and gilet, the Junior Boston Printers Cap available in 10 colours, and the ocean trapper hat. A new 2XS size is also available in the Junior Art Smock.

Continuing in the range is the rugged stuff long coat, a sophisticated and soft-feel popular school jacket and the reversible Stormdri 4000 fleece jacket. Also key is the Junior high-viz safety vest, the Junior & Youth Polartherm top and the Waterproof 2000 team jacket, which packs down neatly into any kit bag or rucksack, and can be paired with the Junior Waterproof 2000 Sport Trouser.

Stand 41

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ROWLINSON KNITWEAR

At this year’s show, Rowlinson Knitwear is showcasing Performa 50, its superior quality knitwear product.

Offering a 4-5 week delivery on specially made orders, it is supported by one of the fastest embroidery services in the industry. Composed from a durable and unique 50/50 yarn blend of combed cotton and higher twist acrylic, Performa 50 is tested to meet rigorous quality standards, delivers performance and comfort, colour retention, and is pre-washed for extra softness. With superior fit in mind, garments offer snug fit hems, cuffs and necklines and are highly resistant to pilling. Performa 50 also has linked seams, providing a smarter, more comfortable finish for the wearer.

Available in a range of colours, plain garments are available from stock with a 24-hour delivery with very low minimum quantities for specially made orders, including striped garments.

Stand 43

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RUSSELL JERZEES AND FRUIT OF THE LOOM FROM PENCARRIE

The Russell Jerzees Schoolgear range features essential school styles, from ring spun T-shirts and poly/cotton polos through to raglan sweatshirts and outdoor fleece jackets. Additionally, Russell Jerzees offers a pledge to replace any Jerzees Schoolgear garment purchased within the school year if it does not meet performance expectations.

Clothing brand Fruit of the Loom, meanwhile, has over 160 years’ experience and a long history of manufacturing quality textiles. Offering a range of styles suitable for the schoolwear market, including the new Fruit Active range of performance kids’ garments for sports clubs, school clubs and teams.

Stand 51/29

52 - OCTOBER 2016

THE SCHOOLWEAR SHOW | WWW.CWB-ONLINE.CO.UK

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SPOT ON GIFTS

With national distribution for next day delivery, Spot on Gifts is a distributor of lunch bags and water bottles suitable for school uniform retailers. Licensed football, sports and character merchandise is available from all current children’s character brands together with Polar Gear, Sistema, DNC, Smash, and Zak. Football Clubs include Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and all other major clubs.

Stand 16

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THE MAGIC TOUCH

The Magic Touch is introducing a new transfer paper considered a game-changer for the image transfer garment decoration business. The new T.One transfer is a one-step coated paper for use with the TMT/OKi white-toner printers. The paper offers cost-effective garment transfer that involves no cutting nor weeding and leaves no residue on the finished garment or textile. The product has recently and successfully been marketed to existing white-toner users in over 25 countries.

The new paper is an addition to the existing transfer paper range and complements the existing two-Step WoW transfer process, which continues for all black and dark colour garments/textiles due to the higher white opacity requirement.

Also launching is The Magic Touch’s new universal smartphone pouches. The high quality neoprene style 3.5mm rubber compound with white polyester jersey surface and heat-resistant thread offers a printable and durable surface suitable for decoration with either sublimation or TTC toner transfer paper. The pouches are available in three sizes to accommodate all smartphone models.

Stand 28

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SPIRO

The Spiro brand, owned by Result Clothing, offers a junior activewear range for school and extra-curricular sports events.

Key items include the Junior Quick Dry T-shirt, which offers windproof, breathable protection.

Also, the Junior Bodyfit Base Layer Shorts, which are performance shorts treated with Quick Dry technology to wick moisture and keep skin cool and comfortable, and which feature a micro stretch soft athletic fabric for ease of movement. The Junior Skort, meanwhile, is windproof, quick drying, lightweight and breathable.

Stand 41

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STABILO

From first attempts at pre-school through to improving and perfecting writing skills, Stabilo’s EASYstart range of products are recommended by teachers, occupational therapists and special needs experts and are approved by the National Handwriting Association.

BTS 2017 is the year of colour for Stabilo, with the company updating and rebranding all of its colouring range. Key favourites are Scribbi for younger children with its indestructible nibs; Cappi for kids when they’re out and about as it comes with a plastic loop to thread the pens onto and prevent lids being lost; and Woody, a 3-in-1 pencil that can be used as a pencil, a crayon and by adding water, a watercolour. Stabilo has also introduced Trio Frutti, a new felt tip pen that features fruity scents.

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TIE & SCARF COMPANY

Exhibiting at The Schoolwear Show for the first time, Tie & Scarf Company will present its full range of school ties along with new designs of scarves and hats plus school badges. As the company’s business continues to grow year on year, plans are underway to extend its warehouse facilities and offices, which are located in Bury, Greater Manchester.

Stand 22

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TOP TO TOE

Top to Toe has been providing EPOS and stock management solutions to the schoolwear sector for over 25 years, staying abreast of changing customer habits and new technologies. At last year’s show it launched new product Wow Sync, which has continued to grow in popularity to become a core product. Wow Sync is designed for e-tail and retail business and is a quick, simple and portable system. It will scan, track and sync stock and sales across multiple channels; in store, on-line, via eBay and Amazon and more. It also has mobile stock checking and sales capture features available.

Stand 18

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WILLIAM TURNER

William Turner is showcasing more than just new products at this year’s show. The family-run business invites attendees to come and visit its additional tie stand for a full insight into how it has sustained manufacturing quality school ties in the UK for nearly 50 years.

New products to the full accessory range for BTS 2017, meanwhile, include Touchscreen (text) gloves alongside new POS, which has already been proven to increase sales. Other popular lines from William Turner’s offer will also be available, including stock tie designs and its contrast trim bag range.

Stand 26/31

54 - OCTOBER 2016

THE SCHOOLWEAR SHOW | WWW.CWB-ONLINE.CO.UK

NATIONAL WEAVING

TOP TO TOE

PRESTIGE SCHOOLWEAR CWB

HALBRO

CARTA SPORTS

POD SHOES

SDL GROUP

KT LABELS SPOT ON GIFTS

MAGICFIT

Floorplan MAKURA

RESULT CLOTHING

WREN

MAPED HELIX

DENBY DALE

PENCARRIE

DOUGLAS & GRAHAME

KK MODEL

TIE & SCARF COMPANY

ZECO

ROWLINSON

WINTERBOTTOM SCHOOLWEAR

CHARLES KIRK

OPRO

BLUE MAX BANNER /ORION

FALCON

GARDNER BROS

EUROPA

PEX

COFFEE LOUNGE

TRUTEX

MACRON GYMPHLEX BLUE MAX BANNER /ORION

CHADWICK TEAMWEAR

CLOAKROOM AND TOILETS

BALMORAL

SCHOOL -WEAR ASSOCIATION

WILLIAM TURNER DAVID LUKE

ESKIMO EPOS

RECEPTION

MARTON MILLS

NCWA

LEGEA UK

AMAYA

GOLDEN FINISHES

DIAMOND TEXTILES

CANDY BOWS

WILLIAM TURNER

LOLLIPOP

STABILO

THE MAGIC TOUCH

ETRADER

PENCARRIE

BRAND AGILITY

ENTRANCE

List of exhibitors 2 GARDINER BROS 3 DOUGLAS & GRAHAME 4 DENBY DALE 6 NATIONAL WEAVING 7 PRESTIGE SCHOOL WEAR 8 CWB MAGAZINE 9 HALBRO 10 ZECO 11 OPRO 12 CHADWICK TEAMWEAR 13 ESKIMO EPOS 14 MACRON 14A BALMORAL 15 WINTERBOTTOMS

SCHOOLWEAR 16 SPOT ON GIFTS 17 CARTA SPORTS 18 TOP TO TOE 19 POD SHOES

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 40 41 42

KT LABELS MAPED HELIX TIE & SCARF COMPANY FALCON SCHOOLWEAR ASSOCIATON DIAMOND TEXTILES WILLIAM TURNER LOLLIPOP THE MAGIC TOUCH PENCARRIE BRAND AGILITY WILLIAM TURNER CHARLES KIRK KK MODEL MAGICFIT SDL GROUP MAKUMA RESULT CLOTHING WREN

43 ROWLINSON 44 BLUE MAX BANNER/ORION 45 STABILO 46 CANDY BOWS 47 MARTON MILLS 48 GYMPHLEX 49 DAVID LUKE 50 PEX 50A BLUE MAX BANNER/ORION 50B NCWA 50C LEGEA UK 50D GOLDEN FINISHES 50E ETRADER 51 PENCARRIE 52 EUROPA 53 TRUTEX 54 AMAYA

OCTOBER 2016 - 55

WWW.CWB-ONLINE.CO.UK | PROFILE

SETTING A NEW PRESTIGE The creation of UK schoolwear manufacturer Prestige School Wear follows the demise of fellow school uniform manufacturer G&D Garments, and sees the Glasgow firm take on many of the former business’s staff and facilities. Prestige School Wear has plenty in the pipeline, including reintroducing the Glengarnock range of corduroy lined shorts and elastic-back ‘trews’, which will be made in its Glasgow factory. CWB reports.

— Prestige School Wear was formed in February 2016, after the demise of Glasgow firm G&D Garments, which went out of business in December 2015. Chris Robb and Richard McNicol, owners of a fellow Scottish firm in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, had been a subcontractor to G&D Garments and it was they who identified a need for a new, high quality UK schoolwear manufacturer, who would keep local jobs and the skills involved alive, and be able to continue to serve the schoolwear market.

Robert Carey, who was formerly a director of G&D Garments, is now general manager of Prestige School Wear and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the factory. Conveniently, Prestige School Wear is based in a factory in the same industrial estate G&D Garments was, and subsequently it has acquired the business’s plant and machinery, as well as G&D Garments’ key workers.

In terms of its offer, Prestige School Wear manufactures girls’ blouses, summer dresses, plain and pleated skirts, pleated kilts, tunics, painters’ smocks, pinafores, culottes, trousers, shorts and boys’ waistcoats, tailcoats, trousers, shorts, Bermudas, breeches, elastic-back ‘trews’, shirts and ties.

Meanwhile, parent company Prestige Garment solutions – a major contractor to G&D Garments – specialises in the manufacture of waterproof and workwear garments in various fabrics, including Gore-Tex. 56 - OCTOBER 2016

“We have undertaken a long-term plan to grow the business activities to secure a permanent future for all concerned,” says Prestige School Wear’s general manager, Robert Carey. “With the buyout of G&D Garments, both companies now benefit from a much stronger management team that is committed to developing and investing in the future of Prestige School Wear.

“We have invested in new pressing equipment sourced from Italy to ensure our garments are top pressed to the highest standards,” he continues. “We have also very recently been involved with a Highland jacket wear company, which is closing due to the owner retiring. We will be employing some of the staff and developing this range further to include school blazers and jackets within the Prestige School Wear offer for trade.”

Being a UK based manufacturer, Prestige School Wear can respond speedily to its customers’ needs. The company prides itself on listening to customer feedback and acting upon it in a proactive manner, to benefit both the customer and the long-term success of the business.

“We have our own autoclave to heat set pleating for our garments, which enables us to have a very quick turnaround, especially at the busy Back to School period,” says Carey.

“At a time when top-ups are readily required, our customers do not have to wait for offshore deliveries.

“We also have our own CAD system for generating patterns, which assures meticulous fitting standards and enables us

to very quickly fulfil special measures when required.”

For 2017, Prestige School Wear is relaunching the Glengarnock brand of corduroy trousers and shorts, which are regarded as the original and best cord garments available to the schoolwear trade.

The trousers and shorts will be stock supported in navy and grey corduroy, in both fully lined elastic-back shorts and elasticback ‘trews’ in mock fly and zip fly versions.

The garments will also be available in a much more extensive size range than currently available to the market.

“As well as the stock supported cord items made in our Glasgow factory, customers can also benefit from our other made-to-order garments including culottes, pinafores, Bermudas, breeches and senior boys’ trousers, which are available in various styles made to our specifications, or to our customers specs, with a quick turnaround.”

As the dust settles from recent changes, the long-term plan for the company is to become a major player in the manufacturing and development of school uniform, with the introduction of blazers, jackets and suits to be added to the range in the very near future.

“The schoolwear market is a very competitive one,” concludes Carey. “We shall succeed in this market through working closely with our customers; being driven by their needs, through UK manufacturing and by responding and adapting quickly to requirements. Our products also carry the best label possible – ‘Made in the UK’.”

WWW.CWB-ONLINE.CO.UK | INTERVIEW

BMB & SWI On 1 July, a deal was signed that saw BMB (Blue Max Banner) acquire SWI Schoolwear.

Renowned for its sportswear portfolio, SWI Schoolwear will enable BMB to further extend its reach into the sportswear market, as BMB’s chief executive, Nigel Plenderleith, explains.

— are confident of delivering exciting, quality products to customers that are genuinely innovative and that forge new ground in the schoolwear marketplace.

LT: What makes the businesses a good fit?

NP: SWI Schoolwear’s core capabilities are in design, product development and marketing, while SWI Schoolwear’s customers will benefit from BMB’s operational expertise and unrivalled commitment to customer service.

Combined with BMB’s extensive experience and product portfolio, our opportunities for growth as an enlarged group are greatly enhanced, enabling us to drive the entire market with high quality clothing on a much larger scale. We are very excited at the prospect of joining learnings and best practice from both businesses to take the company forward.

Laura Turner: What led to BMB (Blue Max Banner) acquiring SWI Schoolwear?

Nigel Plenderleith: Since BMB’s management buyout in July 2015, our strategy has been to build the sportswear, marketing and product development side of the business. SWI Schoolwear already has an established reputation in the industry for a strong, high-performance sportswear offering, designed in collaboration with athletes and students. The addition of SWI Schoolwear’s sportswear to BMB’s current line-up, which has already been recently expanded with the acquisition of Orion Teamwear earlier this year, will enable us to further extend our reach into this profitable, but fiercely competitive, sector.

LT: How exactly will the acquisition enhance BMB’s offer?

NP: The acquisition of SWI Schoolwear will help us as a group to improve our marketing skills and develop a greater understanding of the needs of the market. The enlarged group will be the largest schoolwear provider in the UK, and our key ambition is to offer the best service, quality and value in the industry.

The market continues to change, and we are conscious that we need to have our finger on the pulse, evolving and adapting the business to keep it moving forward. Using the combined resources of both businesses, we

“

LT: What’s the history behind SWI Schoolwear?

NP: Kirk Robertson, a former product designer for Adidas, set up SWI Schoolwear 13 years ago. The objective of the business was to offer performance sportswear exclusively to schools. SWI Schoolwear’s reputation for its understanding of the evolving needs of the school sportswear market was greatly enhanced when two PE teachers joined the company as board members. It was a natural next step for SWI Schoolwear to expand its offering to incorporate school uniform in 2007.

LT: What does SWI Schoolwear offer product-wise?

NP: The SWI Schoolwear portfolio is currently divided into five key categories; business, traditional and informal school uniform as well as two sportswear brands, APTUS and S-TecX. LT: Are more acquisitions a consideration for BMB? NP: Driving market innovation and raising standards through growth is part of our core strategy. Following two strategic acquisitions since last year’s management buyout, our key priority at this stage is to ensure a smooth

The SWI Schoolwear portfolio is currently divided into five key categories; business, traditional and informal school uniform as well as two sportswear brands, APTUS and S-TecX.

“

58 - OCTOBER 2016

integration within the BMB business whilst continuing to deliver outstanding service to our customers.

LT: What factors set BMB apart from its competitors?

NP: We believe that our commitment to customer service gives us a distinct advantage.

This year alone, we have made a significantly increased investment in stock, meaning we can deliver a greater number of garments to schools all year round, not just during peak season. We have also established our own in-house embroidery department to offer added value to our customers. We have listened to our customers and as a direct result, have improved our service commitment during this year’s BTS period by extending opening hours to include weekends and guaranteeing next day delivery for orders placed up to 6pm. We are constantly exploring opportunities to source globally and to use our purchasing power to work with manufacturers to maximise efficiencies and keep costs where they need to be.

LT: Where are you exploring for growth and development?

NP: We will be looking to forge new ground in product development, improving styling, fabrics, sizing and fit of current collections. We want to appeal to a broader customer base, as well as intensifying our efforts in marketing and branding. We’re also working to make our schoolwear offering clearer and easier for the customer to understand. Other focuses include continuing to build on our strong reputation in the market for providing stock supported products in a variety of size options to cater for evolving customer needs. Ultimately, we want to become the one stop shop for all schoolwear needs – uniform and sportswear.

LT: How do you view the current market?

NP: Over the last two years, the market has been relatively stable from a supplier perspective. However, the Brexit vote has brought an unwelcome dimension, as a substantial proportion of product is purchased in foreign currency. As a consequence, we are facing significant price rises. The challenge is to find a way to minimise this impact on the consumer to prevent potential migration to supermarkets.

Academies have been a major factor in the growth of the schoolwear market in recent years. As such, we welcome the call for an increase in the number of academies across the UK as it presents an ongoing opportunity for ourselves and the whole of the industry.

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1 1880 Club 028 9332 7777 www.1880club.com B Balmoral Knitwear 01900 829229 www.balmoralknitwear.co.uk • Bax & Bay 07961 046715 www.baxandbay.com • Bellamy Baby 07824 812175 www.bellamybaby.com • BMB 01225 715070 www.bluemaxbanner.co.uk • Braveling 07786 071667 www.braveling.co.uk • BrickStix 07870 132595 www.littleconcepts.co.uk • Bubble London 02075 965061 www.bubblelondon.com C Candy Bows 0113 2037194 www.candybows.co.uk • Chadwick Teamwear 0161 9272565 www.chadwicktextiles.co.uk • Charles Kirk 01903 244863 www.charleskirk.co.uk • Coco & Wolf 07739 839301 www.cocoandwolf.com D David Luke 0161 2727474 www.davidluketrade.com • Djeco 01263 741548 www.djeco.com • D for Diamond 01376 532000 www.geckojewellery.com E Eggnogg 0117 9277747 www.eggnogg.co.uk • Eskimo EPOS 01202 477111 www.EskimoEPOS.com F Falcon Sportswear 01274 306440 www.falconsports.co.uk • Fred & Noah 07830 707117 www.fredandnoah.com • Froddo 01707 888388 www.froddo.com • Frugi 01326 558462 www.frugiwholesale.com G Golden Finishes 02920 741650 www.goldenfinishes.com • Gymphlex/ GFORCE 0116 2556326 www.gforcesportswear.co.uk H Halbro 01204 696476 www.halbro.com • Happy Little Folks 07850 450056 www.happylittlefolks.com • Houlie 07754 500583 www.houlie.co.uk I Inky & Mole 01935 826071 www.inkyandmole.co.uk • Irregular Choice 01273 733869 www.irregularchoice.com J Jem + Bea 07718 318328 www.jemandbea.com • Joules www.joules.com K KeriKit 0161 8189038 www.kerikit.com • Kite 01202 733222 www.kite-clothing.co.uk L Lakes and Lambs 01768 894464 www.lakesandlambs.co.uk • Lala & Bea 07769 704379 www.lalaandbea.com • Little Cloud 07766 226707 www.little-cloud.co.uk • Little Wardrobe 020 80612062 www.littlewardrobelondon.co.uk • Louvea 07786 623124 www.louvea.co.uk M Macron Schoolwear 07464 613166 www.sportsscenedirect.com • MagicFit 0116 2773857 www.magicfit.co.uk • Maped Helix 01384 286860 www.mapedhelix.co.uk • Marton Mills 0113 2843364 www.martonmills.co.uk • Moba 01323 410470 www.mobauk.com • Molly & Moo www.mollyandmoo.co.uk • Mori www.babymori.com N National Weaving 01834 861446 www.nationalweaving.co.uk O Opro 01442 430690 www.oprogroup.com • Owl & Dog Playbooks www.owlanddog.com P Pex 0116 2861616 www.pexwholesale.co.uk • POD Footwear 01234 240440 www.pod-footwear.com • Polar Post 07817 977530 www.polarpost.co.uk • Pencarrie 0800 252248 www.pencarrie.com • Pigeon Organics 01865 379230 www.pigeonorganics.com • Prestige School Wear 0141 7740387 R Result Clothing 01206 798131 www.resultclothing.com • Rowlinson Knitwear 0161 4777791 www.rowlinson-knitwear.com S Schoolwear Association 0116 2044862 www.schoolwearassociation. co.uk • Selfie Clothing 01638 666432 www.selfieclothing.co.uk • Smalls 020 70027799 www.lovemysmalls.com • Spot on Gifts 020 85730803 www.spotongifts.net • Stabilo 01753 605656 www.stabilo.com/uk • Starchild 01530 264254 www.star-child.co.uk T The Bright Company www.thebrightcompany.uk • The Great British Baby Company 01273 455845 www.greatbritishbabycompany.com • The Magic Touch 01582 671444 www.themagictouch.co.uk • Tiba + Marl 07958 947914 www.tibaandmarl.com • Tie & Scarf Company 0161 7615151 www.tieandscarf.co.uk • Tobar 01603 397105 www.tobar.co.uk • Tobias & the Bear www.tobiasandthebear.com • Top to Toe 020 33765888 www.toptotoe.com • Trutex 01200 421205 www.trutex.com V Villa Carton www.villacarton.com • Vild – House of Little 07917 816598 www.vildhouseoflittle.com W William Turner 0161 4808582 www.unicol-schoolwear.co.uk • Wini-Tapp 07969 750919 www.wini-tapp.com

DIRECTORY | WWW.CWB-ONLINE.CO.UK

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Balloon Bijoux Girls hair & fashion accessories for all ages www.balloonbijoux.co.uk

New organic label with a unique concept are looking for a distributor in the UK.

TO ADVERTISE IN THE CWB DIRECTORY PLEASE CALL MICHELE ON

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OR EMAIL MICHELE @RAS-PUBLISHING.COM

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ORCHARD AGENCY Chris, Carol, Lisa & Ray are the team behind Orchard, a leading second generation childrens clothing agency in the UK, with expertise in London and the South East.

Orchard Agency, 28 Fourth Avenue, Frinton-on-Sea, Essex CO13 9DX Tel: 01255 674301 Email: chris@orchardagency.co.uk carol&ray@orchardagency.co.uk

BABY & KIDS SHOES

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OILILY KIDS, ROOM SEVEN KIDS, RAP KIDS SHOES Unit 12, Derwent Business center, Clarke Street, DERBY DE1 2BU Tel: 07967 560633 Email: franck@vanhuizenagencies.co.uk www.vanhuizenagencies.co.uk

OCTOBER 2016 - 61

WWW.CWB-ONLINE.CO.UK | TALKING POINT

NEIL WARD Commercial director, Rowlinson Knitwear Formerly a highly qualified banker and area director at HSBC, Neil Ward has extensive first-hand experience advising international businesses on their growth strategies.

After working closely with Rowlinson Knitwear as its relationship director, Ward joined the schoolwear manufacturer as commercial director on 1 July.

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warehouse or with our embroidery team to sharpen your focus on what matters to customers.

LT: And in the longer term?

NW: We’re currently reviewing our long-term business plans to align closely with our strategic mission, which is to become a great company to work with, and for.

LT: What are your initial impressions of the schoolwear market?

NW: It has grown in recent years, but it’s my view that we need to prepare for increasing pressure on parents’ disposable income by ensuring we continue to deliver premium schoolwear to our trusted customers. Quality and long-lasting uniforms remain incredibly important to parents and schools alike.

Laura Turner: What attracted you to Rowlinson as an employer?

Neil Ward: Thanks to my time with HSBC, I’ve had a close professional relationship with Rowlinson and the company’s MD, Donald Moore, for a number of years. This positive relationship was very influential in my decision to join the team, as were Rowlinson’s values and it being employee-owned (EO).

LT: What are your views on the EO business model?

NW: EO businesses usually achieve higher productivity, greater innovation and are more resilient to economic turbulence, meaning Rowlinson is in a strong position to meet any challenges that may affect the schoolwear market. Essentially, employee ownership allows us to control our own destiny and share the financial rewards fairly. How Rowlinson treats its people, customers and suppliers directly contributes to its commercial success. EOs tend to have more engaged and less stressed workforces and we benefit from incredible staff commitment, which in turn impacts on customer loyalty and satisfaction. Our people participate in day-to-day decision-making and we’ve seen the positive impact on our customer satisfaction levels. It’s important to me that everyone feels inspired and has a real say in the business.

LT: How has Rowlinson’s performance improved since becoming EO in September 2015?

NW: We’ve seen a 13 per cent increase in 62 - OCTOBER 2016

revenues, 44 per cent increase in profits, and customer satisfaction has risen to 98 per cent. The results are a pretty convincing business case for employee ownership.

LT: How will you support Rowlinson’s ethic of investing in its people?

NW: We are uncompromising in this aspect of the business, so providing staff with professional development opportunities and career progression is all part of the plan.

LT: How do your key strengths align with Rowlinson?

NW: Rowlinson relentlessly pursues the highest standards of quality and customer service. We receive excellent customer feedback, yet everyone is always looking for ways to be even better. I hope to use my experience working with a large number of different businesses to contribute towards this.

LT: What’s your leadership style?

NW: I’d describe it as ‘open’ and ‘fair’, which fits Rowlinson’s culture perfectly. My goal is to facilitate decision-making and support the entire team. Everyone offers ideas and is encouraged to take ownership, so listening is very important in my role.

LT: What’s first on your agenda?

NW: Meeting customers and suppliers and getting to know colleagues to learn as much as I can about the business. It’s a valuable use of time; nothing beats a stint in the

LT: What do you view as areas of growth?

NW: The pupil population is expected to grow significantly, so we will continue manufacturing schoolwear that is high quality, long-lasting and suits the pockets of parents. Low-cost uniform may appeal, but can prove a false economy if the garments don’t last.

LT: What commercial issues are you particularly interested in at the moment?

NW: There is turbulence in the wider commercial world that is having a massive impact on businesses. We are particularly focused on the weakness of sterling against the US dollar and how best to mitigate price increases without impacting upon quality or service.

LT: What can we expect from Rowlinson for Back to School (BTS) 2017?

NW: We’re improving quality standards even further and aiming to deliver an even better service to customers. We will not be adding new products this year, preferring to focus on what we do best.

LT: What’s the next phase?

NW: We’ll continue to deliver premium schoolwear that offers quality, durability and comfort, matched by excellent service. In 2016, we delivered over 1,000,000 embroidered garments in 4-5 working days of order – even during BTS. Ultimately, we want to be the ‘go-to knitwear supplier’ for schoolwear that represents value and performance.

A is for Apple and V is for Vegan…

It’s hard enough teaching our kids the alphabet, yet alone teaching them ethics. RAP has always been known for its ECO friendly credentials and now with its new VEGAN Kids collection, which has been created using a natural cork upper, organic cotton lining, water based non animal derived glues and a natural crepe sole, it’s 100% PeTA approved Vegan too.

So now YOU can support good ethics, whilst we support your kids feet.

RAP for your little eco warriors…

To make an appointment please contact: Franck@arautorap.com Tel: 07967 560633