In this issue... Eco Explained In conversation with...
Get the ‘Know-How’ on service
Top tips for tendering
Supply Update
Industry News & Updates brought to you by Banner. March 2022
welcome to insight content 04 Eco Explained 10 In conversation with Glenn Leech 14 Get the ‘Know-How’ on service 16 Top tips for tendering 18 Supply Update 20 Banner Media Hub
Spring ahead... 2
Welcome to our spring edition of Insight. And what a different prospect the coming months offer compared to this time last year. As the pandemic recedes, we’re looking forward to the opportunities for retailers, schools and students. Much has changed of course, and some things may never be quite the same – but that’s progress, and here at Insight we believe the right approach is to build on the positives and look forward not back. That’s why, to open the edition, we have a headline interview with Glenn Leech, CEO at Banner. We asked Glenn about his views on the future of the industry and what the ’new normal’ means for schoolwear retailers and the customers they serve. He explains how Service, Support and Sustainability will define Banner’s direction of travel. Last year, you told us that you wanted more tips and helpful information. So in Eco Explained we’ve prepared a guide to the sometimes confusing world of sustainable products and labelling. We’ve also in ‘Get the Know-How on Service’ compiled some top tips for tendering to schools, taken from the recent Banner Know-How seminars with retailers – if you haven’t yet attended one, then make sure you read this feature. And finally, we have a supply chain update from Howard Wilder. There’s so much going on; it’s sure to be an exciting and insightful year ahead. Insight March 2022
MEDIA HUB
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Eco Explained
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Sustainability is about more than developing eco fabrics; it also includes fair working conditions, minimising packaging and recycling garments.
We all know that sustainability matters, and that eco-products are growing in importance. Indeed, research clearly shows that schools and young people care about how their uniforms are made and they expect their retailers to stock a wider range of eco-products. But the pace of the development in fabrics and packaging means there’s a complex web of new claims and accreditations to master. With so much new information, it’s vital that we help customers understand what all this means to them. To help keep you up to speed, we’ve asked Sarah Robins, sustainability manager at Banner, to put together this simple guide to the most important features to look out for – and to shout about too!
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Eco Fabrics By eco fabrics we mean textiles that are made from recycled or bio-degradable materials which are kinder to the planet. Unfortunately, there are many misleading claims, so make sure you know the basics and can explain how the eco fabrics you stock make a difference to our future environment. Sustainable fabrics reuse existing materials that minimise waste and environmental impact. In garment manufacture, the recycling of PET plastic bottles is increasingly common but not every eco fabric is the same! The Global Recycled Standard verifies correct procedures and compliance with strict recycling procedures. Look out for the logo!
DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PLASTIC BOTTLES ARE IN YOUR ECO GARMENTS? Gold
95-100% recycled content Silver
70-95% recycled content Bronze
30-70% recycled content
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Packaging We know that customers care about waste so at Banner we’ve made sustainable packaging a priority. As a first step we are drastically reducing single use plastic and by 2025 we plan to have 100% of our packaging made from recyclable materials.
And as retailers, you can make a big difference too...
Look for ways to reduce plastic bags and other packaging.
Promote your low packaging credentials alongside sustainable and ethical products.
Communicate to your schools about your recycling commitments. Communicate to your schools about your recycling commitments.
Packaging represents up to 70% of the plastic waste in the UK and yet less than one quarter is currently recycled – so it’s vital that everyone does their bit to make improvements.
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Reuse & Recycle Two of the best ways to make an eco-difference are to extend the life of garments and recycle them when they are worn out. This does not need to be too complex or scientific —indeed, retailers are well placed to take simple and effective measures that will build your relationships with schools and parents.
Recycling — Adopt recycling practice in your store and make them visible to customers.
Reuse – Host drop off boxes for pre-used items showing that uniform lasts and that you care about value and minimising waste.
Second-hand sales – Help organise regular sales of quality second hand items, either in your store or at your partner schools.
Kitemarks and logos Some kitemarks and standards to look out for and promote:
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Ethical Trading Ethical trading is about “doing the right thing” across the supply chain. It means that manufacturers, suppliers and retailers take active responsibility for improving the working conditions of the people who make the products they sell.
This includes:
Treating workers fairly
Respecting human rights
Ensuring safe working conditions
Zero tolerance to child labour
Living wages for the region
Abolishing modern slavery
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In conversation with... Glenn Leech Banner, CEO
In the second of our ‘In Conversation’ series, we’re excited to interview Glenn Leech, Chief Executive of Banner. Our questions ranged from the ownership of Banner to wider industry issues such as the Education Act and the long term impact of the pandemic. Glenn’s candid answers are an insightful and positive vision of how schoolwear retailers can prepare for the future. Q. Banner was recently acquired by new owners— what does that mean for the business and how might it impact retailers? We’re delighted to have secured new investment partners. The company is owned jointly with them and our leadership team, but from our customers’ point of view, it’s business as usual. What’s most important 10
is that our new investment partners are fully supportive of our existing plans. The senior management team has not changed and neither has our commitment to investing in our service, our products and transforming the sustainability of our operation. Indeed, the commitment to sustainability is strengthened by having a long term partner who shares our vision and values. Q. Looking at the year ahead, what are the most pressing challenges for the industry as a whole? I believe there are four main issues to consider: Firstly, the transition from the pandemic to a ‘new normal’. And I’d emphasise the word ‘new’, for there’s no doubt that expectations have changed and that all of us, from suppliers to schools, have a responsibility to embrace the lessons we’ve learned. Certainly, we are running Banner differently with more focus on colleague mental wellbeing and we have fully embraced hybrid working. Secondly, the Education Act has rightly highlighted the benefits of uniform, but the reality is that it will also raise the expectations of schools and parents. We must work together to reassure them of the quality and value we offer as an industry. Thirdly, we can’t ignore the rise in the cost of living. Parents will be more price conscious than ever and suppliers must do everything possible to review their supply chains and manufacturing
relationships to manage the inflationary pressures facing the industry. Finally, while we are emerging from the pandemic in the UK, global supply chains and shipping are still under huge duress and this puts pressure on the all-important back to school service period. Q. So how will Banner help retailers meet these challenges? The bedrock of our approach is summed up in Service, Support and Sustainability. SERVICE - We all know that standards across the whole supply chain have been impacted by external events — this year, we are determined to provide the very best and most reliable service ever. SUPPORT -Support is about providing our customers with advice, professional materials, marketing literature… the Media Hub was our first step, but we have much more planned. Ultimately, we want to do all we can to strengthen the offer that independent schoolwear retailers can provide to their schools and their communities. SUSTAINABILITY - And as for sustainability, we’re totally committed to becoming an environmentally sustainable company. That will mean making significant investments, thinking differently and taking bold decisions that are more than marketing hype. For example, by the end of 2022, more than half of all our 11
products will be manufactured from sustainable fabrics and in five-years’ time I want Banner to be the model of how a business can transform for the better. The rising cost of living is more challenging as we are facing significant inflationary pressures but we have a number of sourcing actions in place and are doing all we can to minimise future price rises. Q. That’s an ambitious vision; what are the priorities for investment to back it? Quite simply, they are stock, products, and people. On stock, we have used our new finance facilities to bring more items into our warehouses, earlier than ever before. On the product side, we are investing in new and innovative sportswear (watch out for some exciting launches later this year), while transitioning
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more garments to eco-fabrics. We’re also looking at end to end sustainability, from the yarns and dyes right through to reducing packaging. We’re proud to already have carbon neutral status in all our UK operations and want to smash our target to switch more than half our products to our eco range this year. Our sustainability, operations and design teams are working on this year’s sustainability report, outlining the steps we’re taking to improve Banner’s sustainability performance and a ‘head to toe in eco’ uniform by 2025. But for all we are product led, it’s our people who deliver the difference. This year we’ll be spending more in training and recruitment and in making Banner a place where colleagues can truly flourish. I want Banner to be a beacon of a company with knowledgeable colleagues, a commitment to outstanding service and working to the highest standards of ethics and enterprise.
I want Banner to be a beacon of a company with knowledgeable colleagues, a commitment to outstanding service and working to the highest standards of ethics and enterprise.
I passionately believe that the Schoolwear industry can become the stand out example in the clothing sector of how sustainability can become the model of good business practice.
Q. Back to School will soon be coming round – what will Banner be doing to ensure it’s one of the best ever? The feedback from our annual customer survey was very clear. Our customers want us to invest in stock to improve availability throughout the season. We therefore started planning many months ago to ensure that we have more stock in our warehouses, arriving earlier than ever before. In fact, we have shifted our entire buying cycle forward two to three months to ensure we have the stock you need when you need it. This has been a herculean effort but we believe it will deliver dividends for customers, helping minimise any continuing issues from the pandemic. Secondly, we’ve recently launched our first Banner Know-How seminar – equipping our retailers with all they need to successfully complete, win and retain school contracts that may be tendered. The feedback from retailers has been tremendously positive which is a great encouragement to us. We plan to launch more sessions to support retailers on the run up to Back to School.
Q And finally, after 4 years leading Banner, what’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about the schoolwear industry? That what we do really matters! Together, we clothe millions of children in quality, durable and modern garments that help them look good, feel great and perform at their best. With all the pressures facing young people today, this is an important contribution to communities across the UK and I’m extremely proud of the difference we make. It also reinforces to me, why as an industry, we must continue investing in our products and service, ensuring uniforms and sportswear are just as relevant in 10 years’ time. And in pursuing that goal, we have an incredible opportunity to transform for the better the impact of what we do on the environment and the communities we serve. I passionately believe that the Schoolwear industry can become the stand out example in the clothing sector of how sustainability can become the model of good business practice.
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Get the ‘Know- How’ on service. In February, Banner launched their ‘Know-How’ seminars for customers, focusing the first session on the new government guidelines on uniform policies and how retailers should respond to tenders. The session was designed as a quick and easy way to get up to speed on the key issues. It included short presentations followed by questions and answers. Mangers from Banner talked through various aspects of schoolwear tendering, detailing everything retailers need to be aware of and understand when completing a formal response.
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We want to help give our customers confidence in what might at first seem a daunting process. By showcasing their service and products, retailers can approach tenders in a way that impresses their schools with what they offer. Howard Wilder, Banner Sales Director
The feedback from those who attended was positive and we are taking on board suggestions to make future sessions more interactive – and more frequent too.
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As well as discussing official guidance from the Department for Education the seminar included:
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How to make your submission stand out
Tips on presenting product selections to schools
Resources on the media hub and how to use them effectively
A simple six step plan to improving sustainability
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Key elements of a typical schoolwear tender
We’re delighted with the response to our first seminar and it’s already clear that having a forum to share knowledge and ideas is helpful to us all. We’re making plans for further workshops on topics that retailers have suggested they’d like to discuss. Dean Plant, Banner Group Marketing Manager
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Know-How Top Tips for Tendering Be thorough
If this is a new school, be sure to thoroughly read through the tender document – making any notes of key requirements and needs.
Research
Do some background research on the school and their values.
Focus
If there is a requirement or theme that keeps appearing, make sure you focus on this in your response.
Personalisation Personalise your presentation to the school, students and parents. Ask to present to students and parents - this will help build trust. 16
Eco!
Shout about eco products - highlighting ethical sourcing, recycled materials and their benefits to the planet.
Basket Cost
Knowing the schools’ existing uniform basket cost. Cost will normally be the highest points award – basket comparison is important.
Value & Quality
Promote value and quality as well as price. Uniform is worn for almost 200 days every year.
Communicate
Work closely with your school. Communicate that you have together considered the guidance carefully.
Have confidence Be confident in your proposition and show off what you have to offer the school.
Shout about it! Shout about what sets you apart! Schools want to know about what differentiates you from the competition, don’t be afraid to show off what makes you unique 17
Supply Update Industry update with Howard Wilder
Getting back to normal…
Sales Director, Banner
What a pleasure it is to be back to some sense of normality, with retailers open and everyone looking forward to busy Easter — unlike this time last year!
Guidance and tendering requirements. The feedback was fantastic and now we’re planning more interactive seminars over the coming months.
After an excellent Back to School, it seems that our customers are planning for another good year, with forward orders for 2022 well ahead of this time last year.
A key takeaway for us was the enthusiastic response to our Media Hub which makes it easy for retailers to access the best content in the industry, helping to present a professional image to customers and schools.
In February, we held our first Know-How Digital Seminar, speaking directly with customers about the new Government
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Howard Wilder
Getting ready for this summer’s Back to School season is a priority for everyone here at Banner.
have hundreds of thousands of garments coming into our Distribution Centres every week. This will ensure better and earlier stock availability, enabling us to prepare for our peak delivery dates in May, June and July.
Although most Covid restrictions have been removed here in the UK, the Omicron variant is still significantly impacting some Far Eastern garment producing nations. We are confident, however, that our advance planning will absorb any issues.
It’s incredible to think that it’s now two years since we started the first lockdown – so much has happened in that time. I’d like to thank you for your support and understanding over this period, and as we look ahead, hope the upcoming Easter holiday will prove busy and successful return to ‘normal’ for us all.
Most importantly, we’ve brought forward our buying and deliveries and currently
Howard
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media hub
mediahub.banner.co.uk
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
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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.
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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
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
This year, Insight is going quarterly! Every quarter, Insight will bring you all the latest guidance, advice and inspiration from the schoolwear industry to help you in your business. Each issue will be jam-packed with insights from names across the industry - and we want to hear from you too! Don’t forget, you can get in touch to be featured. Simply email us at marketing@banner.co.uk
