How top schools are reinventing second hand school uniform sales

Top schools are reinventing how they sell second hand uniforms, using free booking software and digital marketplaces to cut down the workload.

As the end of term approaches we always see a surge in second-hand school uniform sales on Classlist. In school communities with amazing parent volunteers, these super heroes spend their own time sorting, pricing uniforms and manning second hand stores. Now they are reinventing the second hand uniform sale to cope with the new normal.

Second hand school uniform shop appointments

A second hand uniform ‘pop up’ shop in the school grounds is a summer term tradition. It's an opportunity to clear out lost property cupboards. A chance for existing parents to recoup some money. For new families to save money. And for schools to make a little commission on the transaction.

To comply with social distancing, schools have been asking parents not to congregate on school premises and to make an appointment. Parent volunteers are taking advantage of free tools to manage their shop’s appointments, like Calendly, Classlist or even a Google Spreadsheet.

Families are always looking for value for money, and no more so than with school uniforms. New uniforms are pricey and parents are looking to claw back some of this investment. An online marketplace offers an easy way to display items and sell items to all of your school parents.

Classlist’s marketplace is their online shop for many PTAs. Items are photographed and posted each week. In addition, parents are creating their own online mini-shops, displaying a range of shirts and shoes for example.

For parents wishing to buy, there is a surplus of stock available for years 7 and 8. Sadly for those parents selling, many teenagers experiencing dramatic growth spurts will have grown out of summer kit! There is some great quality clothing to be found.

Parents aren’t just looking for clothes bargains. They are buying second hand musical instruments and sporting equipment. 

Minimising transmission

We advise:-

• Suggesting parents wash items in an antibacterial detergent pre-sale
• Sorting out donations with gloves on
• Spraying items with antibacterial solution
• Packaging clothes and shoes in clear compostable bags
• Holding sales on hot sunny days outside
• Asking shop visitors to wear masks and bring their own carry bags
• Making contactless payments possible. Using student codes to charge against school bills or iZettle card readers.