As well as being the biggest event in the schoolwear industry calendar, this year’s Schoolwear Show will play host to a new programme of SA Retailer Panel Discussions.
Complementing the SA Seminars, the retailer panels discussions sponsored by the Schoolwear Association (SA) will take place throughout the show. Here’s what’s in store.
Sunday 13 October 3.30pm | Social Media Know-How
Keyboard warriors are a worry for all small business owners. As a result, this fear can lead to inaction when it comes to online activity.
A strong digital presence is now imperative for all modern businesses. Therefore, understanding the different ways to plan a digital strategy, implement it, and also respond effectively to those inevitable Back to School complaints, is important for everyone.
Attend this panel discussion to hear how other independent schoolwear retailers are using social media positively within their business. Furthermore, learn some dos and don’ts of how best to handle customers online.
Guests include Rachel Vosey (Petites Modes) and also Max Bevis (Tank PR). Host, Dan Turner.
Monday 14 October 11.30am | Sustainability – Long Live Uniforms
When measured by the number of wears per purchase, school uniform represents the most sustainable clothing that children can wear. The statutory guidelines introduced in Wales, which are likely to come into force in the rest of the UK at some time in the future, are placing affordability ahead of durability.
Within the school-specific sector, there is a strong argument to make about the life expectancy of school uniform as a sustainability point. Equally, as the rejection of fast fashion grows, it is important to make a stand within the market to support second-hand schemes that clearly demonstrate why better uniforms mean they have a longer life.
This session will allow attendees to meet retailers that have successfully introduced second-hand, re-use and recycle schemes into their business; providing both a positive message and positive action.
Guests include Susan Jarah (The Green Shop); Jan Richardson (Total Promotions); Mark Stevenson (The Stevenson Group); and also Luke Conod (Hereford School Shop). Introducing the session will be Kathryn Shuttleworth.
Monday 14 October 3.30pm | Every Child is Worth it
The SA is proud to have been campaigning on the issue of ‘Every Child is Worth it’ – demonstrating some of the excellent work that goes on in retail in order to support vulnerable families as well as various work with schools to assist those that most need it.
With the interest that has come from MPs and the media in recent months – claims that school uniform is a problem for those in poverty and encouraging schools to dumb-down the uniform in order to deal with this – it is important to showcase how the market already responds to affordability issues. Also, why it will not support those in poverty to simply reduce uniform standards in schools.
Join this panel discussion to hear more about how the retailers the SA talks to are introducing schemes into their business with positive results.
Guests include Siobhan Margetson (Schoolwear Centre) and also Peter Dalton (NexGen Clothing). Host, David Burgess.
All sessions will run for approximately 30-40 minutes and will accommodate 30 seated places. Delegates wishing to secure a place are required to pre-book. The option to do this will soon be available via The Schoolwear Show website. Further details on the 2019 SA seminar programme will be available in the run-up to the show.
The Schoolwear Show takes place on 13-15 October 2019 at Cranmore Park, Solihull. Click here for visitor registration.
