In this issue... Education Act - Key points for retailers Why Uniform? - Promoting the benefits A Sportswear Special Sustainability - Not going back Supply Update with Howard Wilder
Industry News & Updates brought to you by Banner. December 2021
welcome to insight content 04 In conversation with Dean & Howard 07 The most important things for retailers to consider 08 Education Act Guidance 11 Why Uniform? 14 Sportswear Special 18 Sustainability - Not going back 22 Supply Update
Uniform matters... 2
In this edition of Insight, we’re looking at why uniform matters and the benefits it brings to schools, students and parents. At a time when many are questioning past certainties, we believe it’s important to also remind ourselves of traditions and practices that have real and lasting value. By talking to industry experts, we show how school uniform and sportswear makes a positive difference to the lives of young people. We’ve also been in conversation with Howard Wilder and Dean Plant, directors at Banner and leading figures in the industry. The recent Education Act guidance for schools resulted in some sensational media headlines. We asked if schoolwear retailers should be worried or is it an opportunity to promote our service and value? With COP26 not long concluded we also explore the growing importance of sustainability, and the influence that concerns over climate change and ethical supply are having on the purchase decisions of young people and their parents. Sportswear is just as vital to pride and identity. We speak to Tina Lindley, Brand Manager of Orion, about trends and the importance of sports kit to both performance and a sense of belonging. And finally, we bring you the latest industry news from supply chain expert, Howard Wilder. Howard looks ahead to next year, highlighting the opportunities and challenges he expects to see.
GOOD TO KNOW We’ve had great feedback
Insight December 2021
on Insight and you’ve told us that you’d like more top tips and inside information on products and promotions – so we’ve included more bite sized information too. Look out for our Good to Know… callouts throughout the magazine.
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In conversation with... Howard Wilder - Wholesale Sales Director Dean Plant - Group Marketing Director
As the Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act came into force in November, we asked two directors at Banner for their views on how the changes will play out, and whether schoolwear retailers should be concerned.
There’s been a lot of coverage of the Education Bill, much of it suggesting that school uniform is too expensive. How should retailers and schools respond? Howard — It’s inevitable that the press will look for shock stories, and suggestions that school uniforms cost over £300 per child are not helpful. But looked at differently, it’s so far from the reality that it actually helps to show what good 4
value school uniform is. Schools and retailers need to look carefully at the guidance and not knee jerk to newspaper headlines. Dean — I agree, but I think it’s important that we help schools and retailers to get over the message that we are all conscious of cost and value. It’s more important than ever that we promote the benefits of uniform for parents, schools and students.
So what are the most important actions we need to take as an industry? Dean — Communication is key. We need to help schools present their uniform policies in a positive light, explaining why some items are compulsory and other can be more generic. Carefully considered uniform packages are hugely beneficial to schools, parents and students—that’s the message we all
need to get across. Howard — If we step back a little, one of the overriding purposes of the bill is to give parents a voice in the decisions their schools make. Most parents support the idea of uniforms, so considering their views and keeping costs reasonable is helpful to keeping them on board. 5
So is there a need for schools to involve parents more in the decisions they make? Howard — Many schools already involve parents and governors, but if the new guidelines lead to more consultation, I think it can only be a good thing. Our industry has a great proposition; our products are made for the job and are backed by retailers who give excellent service. When schools and parents reflect on this it leads to better decisions. Dean — I think it’s important to be sensitive to sentiment and perceptions. If parents feel that a uniform policy is too expensive or too restrictive then it’s right that schools involve them in the discussion. As Howard says, I’m confident we have a great offer and enough options to cater for every school’s needs. The guidance says that schools must encourage the availability of second hand uniform. Is this something retailers and suppliers should assist with? Dean — Absolutely. It’s vital that schoolwear retailers are part of their communities and I’d encourage them all to get involved in recycling and ‘circular’ selling of quality pre used items. There are many great community schemes they can link to, or perhaps they can start their own, helping to strengthen their relationships with parents and schools 6
Howard — And we as suppliers must play our part too. It’s not just about cost and availability, it links to our sustainability goals too. At Banner we will be trialling several initiatives to understand how we can best help schools and retailers meet these requirements. Summing up recent events, is the new guidance something we should welcome rather than feared? Howard — I’m in the positive camp. The guidance requires us all to think again, but over time I believe that the quality and commitment of our industry will come through. The clear benefits of well-considered uniform polices are not going away—and from value to service and sustainability we have good story to tell. Dean — I agree we should see the guidance as opportunity rather than threat. Only last week I was looking at some of our new sportswear lines: we have some truly innovative products that the discounters can’t match and students will want to wear. If we and our retailers stay true to offering ‘service, support and sustainability’ then we won’t go far wrong.
The most important points
for retailers to consider... 1
UNDERSTAND THE GUIDANCE
Demonstrate your expertise and be ready to explain the guidance to parents if they ask.
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KNOW THE TOTAL COST
OF YOUR UNIFORM BASKET In almost all cases it will be significantly lower than the recent headlines suggest.
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PROMOTE VALUE AND
QUALITY AS WELL AS PRICE Uniform is worn for almost 200 days every year.
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DISPLAY UNIFORMS ATTRACTIVELY
Young people want to look good in what they wear.
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SUSTAINABILITY MATTERS
Young people care about how their uniforms are made.
WORK CLOSELY WITH
6 YOUR SCHOOL
Communicate that you have together considered the guidance carefully.
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SUPPORT RECYCLING AND RE-USE
Be part of your community and show that quality garments have long life.
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Education Act Guidance...
The new Education Act guidance is a clear endorsement of school uniform and schoolwear retailers – it is good news for our industry but communication to parents and schools is critical.
The Headlines
• Uniforms are beneficial to students, parents and schools. • Sole supply agreements are good for service and year round availability. • Uniform should be affordable and accessible to all. • Schools should consider the number of compulsory items. • Contracts over a *specified value should be tendered every five years. * The DfE are expected to provide more guidance over contract size, but we anticipate that a large contract will be defined as one over the threshold for other public procurement contracts of £189,000 during their lifetime i.e. £37,800 per annum over 5 years. Contracts below this value would require a less formal process but would still require documentation from a prospective provider.
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“
“
The Department for Education unambiguously supports school uniform and all of its benefits.
Education Act
The small print The new guidance requires schools and their appointed retailers to consider a range of factors including:
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BEST
VALUE - ensuring best quality and value for money, not just lowest price OVERALL
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COST
- carefully considering all the items that make up the uniform package.
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LIMITING
CHANGES - avoiding frequent changes to uniforms, and explaining how any changes improve value.
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OPTIONAL AND
COMPULSORY ITEMS
- keeping brands and logos to a minimum while retaining identity of the school.
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SECOND HAND AVAILABILITY
- ensuring information on how to access second hand uniform is available.
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INVOLVING PUPILS AND PARENTS
- considering the views of parents and pupils when deciding on uniform policy.
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CLEAR
COMMUNICATION - policies should be easy to understand and available to all existing and prospective parents.
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Contacting your schools. Here at Banner we are giving you the best possible advice — but nobody knows your schools better than you! We recommend that you contact your schools with some or all of the following messages:
We are pleased with the clear support for uniform and all its benefits.
We are committed to giving you a comprehensive, year-round service.
We will support you with affordable and great value uniform options.
We can access helpful resources and information packs from our suppliers.
We will help you to communicate to parents.
… and if you have any questions or concerns, we’re here to help!
You can find all the resources and materials you need regarding the new guidance on The Banner Media Hub! Login or request your account here 10
Why uniform?
We all know that school uniform has many advantages for schools, parents and pupils – and it’s important that we get that message across to customers. Drawing on industry research, we’ve put together ten reasons that make a compelling case for quality uniform and sportswear. Peer groups
Identity
Uniform reduces peer pressure on students to dress in the latest trend.
School and Home Uniform provides an important distinction between school and home life each day.
Uniform brings a sense of identity, belonging and community spirit.
Pride
. Uniform instils pride and respect for the values of the school.
Appearance
Equality Uniform reduces inequality between pupils from homes with different incomes.
Uniform encourages students to dress smartly and care about their appearance.
Safety Uniform identifies pupils outside of school helping to keep them and your community safe.
Durability Uniform is designed to be worn and washed regularly, unlike many fashion garments.
Preparation Uniforms help students to prepare for dress codes when they leave school.
Value Uniform is excellent value and reduces overall expenditure for parents. 11
Why Uniform? Promoting the benefits GOOD TO KNOW Wearing uniform during the COVID 19 pandemic promotes safe behaviour and helps to reduce the spread of Coronavirus in classes and at home.
Why do we still have uniforms at school? In these days of individual freedom, aren’t they a throwback to the past that we ought now to set aside? And wouldn’t it be simpler and cheaper if children could simply wear what they liked? Surely, it’s time we thought again… These sorts of questions will be familiar to any schoolwear retailer and indeed to any teacher or parent. At first hearing, they might seem to have some strength. But look a little closer and the case for uniform and sportswear polices get stronger the more we examine it. Indeed, in what are increasingly uncertain times, the need to give our young people stability and certainty has never been greater. 12
GOOD TO KNOW Uniforms made from recycled fabrics encourage awareness of climate change and responsible practice. Surveys confirm that young people care about how and where their uniform is made.
GOOD TO KNOW Banner uniforms and sportswear are independently wash tested to ensure durability and value.
Leading suppliers such as Banner, supported by the Schoolwear Association, played a leading role in the consultations which led to the recent guidance for schools in relation to the cost of uniforms. During that process, it became clear to all parties that the benefits far outweigh the concerns, and that having a modern and affordable uniform policy is in the best interests of students, parents, schools and their communities. Drawing on the latest research, here at Insight, we’ve summarised why uniform matters to each of these stakeholders.
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Students For all that young people (especially teenagers) might moan about some aspects of schoolwear, the deeper truth is that uniform provides them with a sense of identity and pride. Furthermore, it helps to ‘level up’ the appearance of students, lessening any risk of exclusion or embarrassment to those children from lower income households who might not afford the latest trends and brands. •A sense of identity •Pride in their school •Self-esteem for all •Sports teams they can cheer for •Less bullying and peer pressure •Togetherness at school and beyond
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Parents Parents have a vested interest, not only in the cost of uniform, but also in the quality and durability of clothes that will be worn every day. What’s more, the wellbeing of their children will be one of their chief concerns too. In all these regards, uniforms have clear advantages over a ‘free for all’ policy which leads to uncertainty and pressure for both parents and students. •Durability of clothes ‘designed for the job’ •Clear prices and excellent value •Less ‘pester pressure’ for fast fashion items •Support and subsidy for those on low incomes
Schools For schools, uniforms have many advantages. Research shows that uniforms lead to better behaviour in class, fewer incidents of bullying, and perhaps most important of all, a sense of pride and belonging that comes with the school’s identity. Quality sportswear is vital for inclusion and high performance too. Again, research clearly shows that participation is much improved by good design and the sense of togetherness that school sportswear brings. •Positive identity, pride and belonging •Promotes school values •Improved behaviour in school and outside •Better academic and sporting achievement •Promoting inclusion and togetherness •Reduced social inequality at school
Communities The wider community also benefits from uniform polices in their local schools. A distinctive local school uniform is a form of branding for the community, often uniting generations through a shared heritage and pride of place. Towns and districts are represented by their schools at festivals, town twinning and sporting events—a smart uniform or team kit gives a visual identity to these occasions.
Safety for all Safety is a vital consideration for all stakeholders and uniforms can play a vital role in keeping student safe. Uniforms help to identify children when they are outside of school or on school trips. They also identify those on school grounds who are not wearing uniform, ensuring unauthorised visitors can be easily spotted.
GOOD TO KNOW GOOD TO KNOW Uniforms are worm up to 195 days per year, making them among the most worn items for any young person.
The average cost of a full school uniform and sportswear at secondary school is £101 per student. And because uniforms last the average annual spend of compulsory items is less than £40 per student. *
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Sportswear Special Tina Lindley
Tina Lindley, Orion & Beau Brummel Brand Manager
Insight speaks to Tina Lindley, Brand Manager at Banner, about the importance of quality sportswear. Over recent years, school sportswear has undergone something of a revolution in manufacture and design. New fabrics, modern colourways and multi-functional garments have transformed the old image of unflattering and inappropriate kit which made PE and Games so unpopular to many students. But as the options increase it’s vital that schools and suppliers get the balance right between fashion and function. Tina Lindley, Brand Manager of Orion and Beau Brummel, explains, ‘We aim to design sportswear which boosts confidence and that young people truly want to wear, but it must also perform well, be durable and retain a collective identity that’s vital for pride and belonging.’ Indeed, these intangible benefits are just as important for the sports fields as
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they are for classrooms, adds Tina. ‘Whenever I’m asked why our brands matters, the cry of the three musketeer’s rings in my ears! Quality sportswear creates an all for one and a one for all spirit, allowing everyone to feel part of the team, whether they’re participating or cheering their friends from the side lines. It’s no
different to the reason that cycle clubs have distinctive jerseys and football supporters wear replica shirts.’ So if identity matters, what about quality and function? ‘The good news is that with modern fabrics there’s no compromise between performance and wearability. Orion sports leggings are a great example, so too are stretch fabric tops that look good but improve freedom of movement and breathability.’
In her role as brand manager, Tina has to consider issues such as cost and consistency, ensuring schools can choose a combination of options that work for their parents and catchment. ‘At Orion we aim to offer great products at an affordable price point, giving retailers and schools the option to create a unique look without it amounting to a small fortune. This is why we create collections, ensuring every product in the range delivers equally on its promise.’
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After a difficult two years for school sports in the pandemic, what role does Tina see sportswear playing in the return to wider participation? ‘Team kit plays a critical role in boosting confidence and encouraging youngsters to give of their best. This has never been more important, and as the teams start to get back on the pitch, we expect to see more schools looking to refresh their look.’ What’s more, Tina expects more schools to embrace exciting new designs, with greater personalisation of their team and general sportswear. ‘We’re already seeing a shift to what we call sublimation,’ she explains. ‘It’s a breakthrough manufacturing process that offers virtually unlimited options in styles, colours and logos. While the designs can be as bold as you like, the colours will never fade the garments are very hardwearing. Many customers come to us with some rough ideas and we add a wild card suggestion just to show what’s possible – and in most of the cases it’s the one they choose!’ As these options become more mainstream, we asked Tina what other trends we might expect to see? 18
‘We know that people are wearing more sportswear on a daily basis for its comfort and practicality around the home. As well as bolder designs we expect there to be more demand for soft technical fabrics— especially those with sustainable eco-yarns.’ And finally, what about Banner’s brands? Can we expect new developments there too? ‘We are always innovating,’ says Tina. ‘But whatever collections and brands we create, there is one thing that won’t change, and that is our focus on great products, great service and great design—all delivered at an affordable price point. It’s easy to get distracted during periods of change, but we are determined never to forget these core brand values.’ It seems that the future of sportswear is in good hands and that the balance between the old and the new is something we can all look forward toward to.
GOOD TO KNOW Our minimums order quantities are only 10 pieces including one FREE print or embroidery.
GOOD TO KNOW Not only does dyesublimation yield high-quality uniforms, but it’s better for the environment. This is because the process uses less water, less ink and has less waste.
GOOD TO KNOW Our most popular sublimated products are rugby tops and netball dresses. Our top cut and sew products are hoodies and polo shirts.
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Sustainability
No Going Back
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Sustainability has never been higher on the agenda and there’s no going back says Sarah Robins, Banner’s Sustainability Manager.
Sarah Robins Sustainability Manager
Awareness of the challenges posed by global warming and the need to think again about the impact of our lifestyles on the planet has never been greater. The recent COP26 conference in Glasgow was a global showcase for the issues we all face and underneath the politics and negotiations there emerged a clear sentiment that we must take action now. But for all that the tide is turning, sometimes when I read news reports, the obstacles to progress can seem overwhelming. How can we as individuals or small companies make a difference? Where do we start and what are the right steps to take? These are just some of the questions many of us are asking in our homes, our communities, and our businesses. Thankfully, we are not facing these problems alone, and by working together we can make a substantial impact for the good. We can also take heart from knowing that in
doing our bit, we encourage others to do the same. The really good news for the schoolwear industry is that as public sentiment shifts, it’s increasingly the right thing to do for our businesses too. Anyone who saw Greta Thunberg addressing the crowds at COP26 can be in no doubt that young people have a powerful voice in this debate. Jennifer Morgan, executive director of Greenpeace International, claimed that ‘Youth have brought critical urgency to the talks.’ That’s true, and it’s clear that over time their support for radical change will impact not just our politicians but our schools, parents and the purchase decisions they make. Here at Banner, we’ve embraced this challenge, setting new goals that will stretch us like never before. We’ve done this not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because we believe the shift to sustainable supply chains is irreversible. 21
Only last week the new Education Act became law, requiring schools to give greater consideration to sustainability and recycling. As we go forward, we know we must help our retailers and schools to meet these requirements. Recently, I worked with my colleagues in agreeing our sustainability strategy for the next few years. We’ll be telling you more as our plans unfold, but for now, here are some of the highlights.
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We want Banner to be your partner in improving the sustainability of what you sell, helping you to meet the aspirations of young people, while addressing the needs of your schools and new legislation. By working together, we can make difference that not only matters but is material in its impact. What’s more we can make that difference a point of competitive advantage for us all. Perhaps the most important thing is that we are committed to this journey. I like to walk in the hills in my spare time, and anyone who does that will know there is often a point of no return – where the effort required to reach the summit is the only practical way forward. I passionately believe this is where we are at in Banner and our industry today. For the truth is, sustainability and responsible manufacture is here to stay. There’s no going back and actually, that’s a good thing for us all.
GOOD TO KNOW
GOOD TO KNOW
100% of our garments will be eco by 2025 – we’re already nearly half way there!
Up to 48 plastic bottles are recycled to make a Ziggys blazer.
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Supply Update
Industry update with Howard Wilder
Howard Wilder
Sales Director, Banner
Reflections on a challenging year What a year it’s been! From the January ‘lockdown’— which lasted until April—to the return of schools, the uncertainty over curriculums and testing and bubbles and disruption to supply chains… it seems like we had one challenge after another. And in truth we did. But thankfully, by working together as suppliers and retailers, we’ve delivered a service to parents and schools that is in many ways remarkable. From ordering early to staying open late–and a raft of ideas and initiatives in between— schoolwear retailers have shown
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a determination and creativity that is a credit to our industry. For our part, the teams here at Banner worked tirelessly to overcome the most difficult challenges we’ve ever faced. The impact of COVID has varied across the world and its sometime easy to forget that while the situation here at home was improving, that wasn’t necessarily the case for our manufacturers overseas. To cap it all, who’d have predicted that the Suez Canal would be blocked, causing further disruption to global supply chains. If we have learnt one thing from this year, it’s that keeping customers in the loop is vital and much appreciated by all. That’s why we’ve increased our
communication, and why we intend to keep on doing so. As we go forward, we plan to give you as much information as possible and be as transparent as we can about availability for the year ahead. In some ways the hardest things for us all about ‘Back to School’ this year was the uncertainty. Retailers had placed orders and though the vast majority arrived on time, some items were frustratingly stuck at sea. We at Banner had visibility of our containers on ships but couldn’t be certain when the stock would actually be delivered. The good news is that because of everyone’s commitment, we’re now in a much better position. Slowly but surely, the world’s supply chains are improving and
because we are the UK’s biggest schoolwear company we’ve been able to place our largest ever advance orders. Over the coming months we will see huge swathes of products coming into our warehouses, giving us higher availability and advance stock than in any previous winter. I’d like to thank all our customers for the support you’ve given to Banner in 2021. It’s been one heck of year! But I’m confident that we’ve taken every measure to ensure we serve you best as we can, this year, next year and for many more thereafter. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.
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Whats new? Measuring Guide Chest
Front Length Measure from the side neck point of the shoulder down to the hemline.
Front Length
Sleeve Length
Everything you need to know about winning tenders.
Chest (At 2cm from under arm) Measure across the chest at 2cm below the underarm with the garment laid flat.
Underarm Sleeve Length Measure from where the arm seam meets the chest down to the end of the cuff.
Select Hoodie Code: AAAA112036 (3SH)
Select Hoodie
Service
Sustainability
Support
To fit age
2
3/4
5/6
7/8
9/10
11/12
13 S
M
L
XL
XXL
60”
1/2 Chest (cm)*
35
37.5
40
42.5
45
47.5
50.5
53
56.5
60.5
65.5
70.5
78
Front length (cm)
38
43
48.5
52
56
59.5
63.5
66
70
73.5
77.5
81.5
85
Sleeve length (cm)*
28
32
35.5
39.5
43
45.5
48.5
51
53.5
56
58.5
59.5
61
To fit size
*Please note these are garment measurements - NOT body measurements. PLEASE NOTE THAT GARMENT MEASUREMENTS AND SIZE ARE A GUIDELINE TO BRITISH STANDARD SIZING.
Tender Support
Measuring Guides
Product Flash Cards
We’ve put all our expert knowledge and passion for schoolwear into a range of tender support documents – all to help you win and retain school contracts.
These guides give you key measurement points for our products and can be used to help create sizing POS or to reference when buying products!
Putting together a tender and need some product information? Our product flash cards are simple resources that can be simply downloaded and dropped into your tenders and presentations!
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We want to hear from you!
Insight is all about providing you with industry news, top tips and insider knowledge. We’re also about hearing your voice and sharing your experiences and ideas with the rest of our readers! So, if you want to get involved – whether it be for an interview about your experiences with school tenders or if you’ve implemented some great eco initiatives in your store – get in touch! Email the team at: marketing@banner.co.uk We’d also love any feedback. Got something you want us to cover in our next issue? Our inbox is always open!
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More Insight… more news, more information
It’s almost a year since we launched the first edition of Insight and since then we’ve had some fantastic feedback. You’ve told us the types of articles and information you’d like to see more of, and we can’t wait to get cracking on the next issue with your ideas on board.
If you have a question or a suggestion on an issue you’d like us to cover in future editions then please get in touch and email marketing@banner.co.uk
Next year, we’ll be including more interviews with retailers and every issue will include info-graphics that you can use with your customers and partner schools. We’ll have up to date news on products and stock availability—and we’ll be giving more insight into what Banner is doing to support you. Finally, we’re planning some special offers and promotions for our readers so make sure you look out for our next edition in February. Meanwhile, have a very Happy Christmas and our best wishes for a prosperous New year. If you have a question or a suggestion on a topic you’d like us to cover in future editions then please get in touch by emailing: marketing@banner.co.uk
