UK back-to-school market to be worth £1.7bn this year says GlobalData

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Sep 3, 2019

With kids getting ready for the new school year, a new report says that the total back-to-school market in Britain will add up to £1.7 billion this year, a 1.5% increase compared to 2018’s season.

The rise isn’t particularly impressive when the rising school age population is taken into account and also when the impact of inflation is added in.

The percentage prediction comes from data and analytics company GlobalData, which said uniforms and sportswear between them account for 76.4% of BtS spend, also up 1.5%.

The athleisure trend has been making an impact as trend-led performance brands such as Nike and Adidas prove to be in demand by young people at secondary schools, despite their higher price points than generic items.

GlobalData also said the season started early this year, spurred by retailers such as Amazon, which focused on BTS back in mid-July while kids were still at school at the end of the previous academic year.

Analyst Emily Salter said: “As back-to-school spend shifts earlier in July and August, retailers should encourage impulse purchasing with discounts and offers on smaller items such as accessories and stationery towards the end of the school holidays. This will drive additional spending among shoppers who have made their essential back-to-school purchases earlier in the summer.

“Additionally, retailers should ensure that promotions and marketing campaigns are timed effectively to successfully compete with other retailers and drive consumer awareness at key times, including Amazon Prime Day.”