Lidl joins school uniform price war with its own €5 deal

LIDL has waded into the price war over generic uniforms and will match Aldi’s deal with a €5 uniform of their own.

The company announced yesterday that from Monday, July 16 their stores will be stocking a full uniform which will include a choice of trousers or skirt, along with a sweatshirt and a pack of polo shirts, for €5.

Commercial Director for Lidl Ireland Liam Casey said: ‘Offering back-to-school items at this price point ensures an affordable and stress-free time for all our customers who may struggle at this time of year. Not only will customers avail of a variety of styles, colours and sizes, but also a uniform range that is hard-wearing.

‘The fabric is also made with anti-crease technology to prevent any extra ironing.’

According to Mr Casey, Lidl will also be offering a range of cheap back-to-school equipment for kids, including school bags for just €6.99.

Reducing the cost of going back to school has been an issue that the Government has been trying to deal with over the last year.

According to a circular issued to all schools by Education Minister Richard Bruton last year, schools are required to do everything possible to keep costs down for parents, including allowing the use of generic uniforms with iron-on or stitchedon crests.

Uniforms have traditionally been one of the most costly aspects of children going back to school.

Earlier in the week, Aldi announced that it would be offering €5 uniforms from next week, a move which was praised by many for helping to reduce costs for parents.

One Family, a group for people parenting alone, said that they ‘warmly welcome any measure that reduces the cost of children going back to school’.

Laura Erskine, head of community for mummypages.ie, said that Aldi and Lidl ‘led the way’ in the introduction of cheap school uniforms for primary school pupils.

Lidl’s range will be available in their 155 branches nationwide from July 16.