Aldi’s €6.50 school uniform set for top marks from parents

Cash-strapped parents in the midst of a school spending blitz may get a helping hand from supermarket Aldi, which yesterday unveiled its new primary school uniform costing €6.50.

Boasting that it is the best-value school uniform in the country, Aldi said its new range for children aged four to 11 years would last the course of scuffed knees and playground falls, as well as delivering savings to the family budget.

That will be music to the ears of many parents, as recent surveys by children’s charity Barnardos show uniform costs are among those which cause most difficulty for many families.

The store’s new uniform range for boys includes: A pair of trousers costing €2, a plain polo shirt which costs €1.99 for a pack of two, and a round neck sweater for €2.49, resulting in a total cost of €6.48.

The girls’ uniform includes a pleated skirt costing €1.99, a plain polo shirt retailing at €1.99 per pack of two, and a €2.49 round-necked jumper, meaning a total uniform cost of €6.47.

The uniform range comes in a selection of colours including grey, black, red, navy, white and blue and comes in various sizes for ages 4-5, 5-6, 6-7, 8-9 and 10-11.

The company said the uniforms had been ethically sourced and manufactured and they had also been independently quality tested by laboratory group Intertek to ensure they were of durable quality. The uniforms are machine washable, suitable for tumble drying and easy iron friendly, and the trousers and skirts are coated in Teflon to help resist stains and water.

The uniforms will go on sale in Aldi’s 101 Irish stores from Jul 25 next, and the company’s group buying director, Niall O’Connor, said: “The school uniforms are a one-off Aldi ‘Specialbuy’ and will be available while stocks last.

“The uniforms have been independently quality tested to ensure they are hard-wearing and will withstand the rigours of the school year.”

Earlier this year Barnardos alongside other organisations, submitted new proposals on school uniforms, urging boards of management to consider ways to cut of cost.