Running a school shop?

[UndertheCedartree]

Just looking for any advice/help

At my DD's Primary school we have a school shop which has been closed since Covid.

As well as providing a service to parents and pupils it raises money for the PTA.

Prior to Covid it sold 2nd hand school uniform at 50p a piece. There was also a book shelf for people to swap books (all free). We are planning to bring the school shop and have a few ideas
-2nd hand non-uniform kids clothes
-a fancy dress swap/sale for dress up days

• selling ice poles on a Friday in the summer

-selling water bottles

Any of these items will always be given away free for families in need.
Has anyone any experience of any of this and what works and doesn't. Or any other great ideas? Thank you.

I've run a second hand uniform shop at my DD's primary school. Once a week first thing in the morning.

I think if you are going to have a non-uniform shop you are going to be inundate with clothes! Where are you going to store it? You end up with loads of just uniform in my experience.

At my DD's school. the uniform was sold on behalf of the parents with the PTA getting 10% commission. The clothes cost a lot more than 50p though! I think your idea is great though, just make sure that the uniform you sell is of decent quality.
I think it would be good to sell non uniform clothes too but, as a previous poster has said, there may be storage issues if you get too much stock.

I just don't think you should make money off these things at the moment. You don't know who is struggling and who isn't and above that we want clothes to be reused for the environment. A free help yourself clothes rack with a donation box is the way to go.

50p sounds very cheap. I’d do uniform, pe kit, wellies, Christmas jumpers, school coats and fancy dress. I wouldn’t do normal clothes. Think about opening one morning and one after school so more can access it.

I'm not sure of the amount of space for storage as yet, although it is quite a big space. So will have to look into that, thank you

The uniform is always washed and hung/folded nicely. I've bought quite a bit in the past. But yes, no point in trying to sell tattty bits.

As I said previously and family who are struggling are given items for free. The pastoral care is excellent so generally aware who needs this. For other families not struggling quite as much being able to get for example a couple of summer dresses and cardigans for the Summer for £2 is surely beneficial to them. Most schools don't have any thing like this. In addition any DC who comes to school inappropriately dressed will be kitted out for free. And of course if a toilet accident happens the school shop can help. However there are some outgoings, washing clothes, buying hangers, buying pants for Dc who have wet themselves. Any money made after costs can be used to reinvest in things like water bottles, ice poles etc. We have a really mixed school from low income to wealthy. The wealthy families won't need the uniform but may like to support the PTA buying other things.

Yes, it is, to ensure it is accessible to all.

We used to be open every morning and afternoon after school. We are aiming for 3 mornings and afternoons for now. Thanks for the ideas about types of clothes to sell. Sounds good.

Yes, this is what my local primary and secondary schools do. All free, help yourself.

There will always be families who keep their struggles to themselves.

Those that keep their struggles to themselves are usually not under Children's services so I would suggest could afford 50p an item. It's a very inclusive school - no monies needed for charity events etc. Children on PP get trips for free etc.

@avoidthecreakystair @HiJenny35

Out of interest how were the school shops funded to run?

@UndertheCedartree For our schools, it's not part of a shop. Parents are encouraged to donate school clothing that's outgrown but still in good condition. School office staff then put donated clothing out on particular days during each term and send an email to parents to let them know they can help themselves. They put unclaimed 'lost and found' stuff out at the same time.

Nothing to do with the PTA, which does its own fundraising separately.

"Those that keep their struggles to themselves are usually not under Children's services so I would suggest could afford 50p an item." Not really sure what you mean by this.

I see. We have an actual shop to maintain. We have to wash clothes, purchase hangers and also things like pants/knickers if a child has had an accident.

I suppose what I mean is our most vulnerable families are known as under Children's services. They would be given anything they need free. Also if any DC comes into school inappropriately dressed (no jumper or clothes too small) they would be given free uniform. I feel that outside of that families are able to donate 50p for an item of uniform.

There are lots and there will be many mote families soon where the children will have what they need while the parents go hungry. Do you think they can afford to pay? Most families try to hide their poverty.

My experience, though based mostly on secondhand books, is that 'Give what you like' moves most stock and raises most money. We use a 'donations' tin, so no one knows what anyone pays. I volunteer for a small charity and our treasurer says that he can claim GiftAid on its behalf on these 'small donations', so every pound we take is worth £1.25. Good luck.

You will end up with all the shite of the day if you say you will take in all clothes. Just look at what people tried to send off to Ukraine!

I like the idea of wellies/coats though.

50p is reasonable though, and families like ours which is struggling but not on the breadline would use it to save money. I wouldn't if it was for free/very poor as I'd feel it wasn't for me. Also it gives people the self worth that they've bought it...

I love that you have a real shop! We have no storages space at school or spare classrooms etc. And 3 x a week is anlot of dedication. Well done.

Yes, if you're running a shop with costs attached then of course it has to be funded somehow.

I guess my point is that uniforms are a tricky choice to make money from, when they are an essential item and some families will struggle with the costs. It's not always the most vulnerable families that are struggling - even seemingly better-off families can find themselves with unexpected bills and suddenly their finances become much tighter. And they may be the ones least likely to tell anyone / ask for help.

But anyway - you didn't ask about the pros and cons of selling school clothes specifically! I was just agreeing with HiJenny35 that our schools have a different approach.

I would have loved a school shop with low cost fancy dress clothes when my kids were young! Great idea!

It’s a nice idea but fraught with problems and difficulties.

personally, I would appeal for outgrown uniform and PE kit only. The volunteers would organise it into sizes and types and then people would just go in and pay any price they decided (just have a box and they can do it themselves). Teachers could enter the room at any time to get items for children needing them eg accidents, not got money for jumper or whatever.

I mean whatever you do, some people will pisstake and some will moan. So best to keep it simple.

I've been in that position myself a lot and still am. Yes, 50p is doable. You just get one thing every now and again. Also the school shop can't solve all problems, but I've never come across a permanent school shop like this where you can buy as and when. I also think adults have to take some responsibility for their situation. It's not nice asking for help, I know but it part of being an adult/parent. They need to swallow their pride and go to a food bank if they can't afford to eat. Or rather than buy new uniform items come to the school shop and spend the difference on food. The reason I'm so keen to get the school shop up and running again is because I know how much it has helped me. Incidentally, during Covid anyone could take whatever they wanted if they asked. The best thing about the shop being open everyday and having other things other than 2nd hand uniform is everyone uses it and there is no stigma.

Good point, thank you.

I will look into gift aid, thank you.

I completely agree with what you say. Thank you!

Yes, I think the fancy dress could be great. Either swap a grown out of one for a bigger size or a nominal charge. And if any DC come in without one hopefully something can be found for them from the school shop

It has been run successfully for many years previous to Covid with charging a nominal price for uniform and selling extra items, as well as the free books, so planning on sticking to this model. But yes, people will moan whatever!