Surveys Show More Schools are Implementing Uniform Programs; Consumer Spending Also Rises

With some already in school and the rest of the country’s children going back this week, UniformMarket decided to take a look at the business of school uniforms and the trends emerging for the 2006-07 school year.

According to The National Retail Federation, consumers will spend more this year. The average family will spend $527.08 on school clothes and supplies, $83 over last year's average of $443.77. Apparel is expected to be a big performer, with the average consumer expected to spend $228.14, up from $205.31 in 2005.

One in five (15.9 %) parents with school-aged children have kids that are required to wear a uniform. According to the trade group, those parents will spend more on apparel and accessories ($233.73 vs. $228.14) and shoes ($119.91 vs. $98.34) than parents who do not have to buy uniforms. And more consumers with children who are required to wear uniforms will shop at department stores (56.8% vs. 53.3%), specialty shops (36.2% vs. 30.9%), and through catalogs (7.1% vs. 5.0%) than those with children that do not wear uniforms.

The rise in spending comes at a time when school uniform programs are climbing in the U.S. According to the “2006 Classroom NSBA School Uniform Survey,” conducted with members of the National School Board Association, more public schools report using uniforms in 2006 than did last year. Over 34% of the respondents stated that they have a uniform or dress code policy vs. 23% in the 2005 survey. Thirty-six percent of NSBA respondents stated they are in discussion regarding implementing uniforms or stricter dress codes. In addition, the “Classroom 2006 Charter School Uniform Survey,” conducted with attendees of the 2006 National Charter Schools Conference, cites 75% of respondents indicating they have school uniforms or a dress code policy in at least one school if not the entire district.

The surveys were recently released by Classroom School Uniforms, a division of Strategic Distribution, LP. The company is a full service, nationwide school uniform manufacturer. Classroom School Uniforms surveyed over 5,692 National School Board Association members that attended the 2006 National Conference in Chicago and 1811 attendees of the 2006 National Charter Schools Conference in Sacramento.

The surveys also examined the effects of uniform and dress code policies on children and schools. According to the NSBA survey, 64% of those surveyed saw a decline in discipline referrals with a school uniform program and more than half of those surveyed in the Charter School Uniform Survey have seen a decline in discipline referrals in their school

Results for both surveys can be found at www.classroomuniforms.com

To meet the rising demand, back-to-school manufacturers and suppliers are making sure that students are heading back to class in high style with top quality uniforms in a vast array of sizes and selections. What will the nation’s children be wearing this Fall?

New from IZOD this season are fashionable and comfortable johnny-collar cotton/spandex polo shirts for girls available in an assortment of stylish colors and sizes. IZOD is also making available for the first time, stain resistant flat-front capris with two front pork-chop style pockets and two back flap pockets. Capris are available in khaki and navy and in an assortment of sizes to fit almost every need.

At San Francisco-based Mervyns, uniforms this year provide the perfect canvas for expressing personal style. Students can add trendy accessories such as plaid, star-printed or skull-motif backpacks, bright rainbow-striped socks or a pair of Heelys -- the hottest wheeled sneakers -- to create a look that sets them apart from the fashion pack.

Dickies, a global brand known for durable, affordable and functional clothing, continues to improve and innovate its complete line of sturdy, easy-care school uniform tops, shirts, shorts, skorts, pants, sweaters, and jackets for K-12 male and female students.

New for '06 is Dickies trademarked FlexWaist flat-front pants and shorts for elementary boys and girls. Featuring a notched elastic waist inset that can be taken in or let out in seconds to create a better fit, FlexWaist pants and shorts are more comfortable and last longer because they grow with the child. Exterior Dickies logos on FlexWaist items are small enough to comply with uniform codes, but announce the popular brand that both kids and parents like and trust

Prettier polos and a fashion-forward smocked stretch poplin top, along with a new faux wrap skirt, three-piece skirt, tab-pocket capris and a pleated jumper provide a fresh, updated look for girls. Junior sized girls' pants, skorts, shorts, skirts and capris feature a stretch fabric to improve fit and comfort.

Finally, as more school districts go to mandatory uniforms they are seeking to branch out from the classic khaki and navy bottoms. Dickies has answered the growing call for color by adding silver gray, black and charcoal to its collection.