Sainsbury's and Asda have been named the joint cheapest places to buy school uniforms this year, with a basket of essential items costing £42 at both supermarkets.
The comparison, carried out by money experts at Fast Loan UK, ranked seven retailers based on the total cost of a basket containing boys' and girls' polos, a girls' cardigan, girls' skirt, girls' trousers, boys' sweatshirt, boys' shorts and boys' trousers.
Price Comparison Across Retailers
Tesco came next at £42.50, followed by Next at £50, Matalan at £52, Marks and Spencer at £54.50, and John Lewis as the most expensive at £63. That leaves a £21 difference between the cheapest and most expensive baskets.
Aldi and Lidl were not included in the comparison as their offerings don't provide like-for-like items to the other retailers, yet the supermarkets do offer back-to-school uniform deals.
Budget Options at Aldi and Lidl
Aldi has its popular back-to-school range, which includes a £5 uniform bundle. It contains two polo shirts, one sweatshirt or cardigan and a choice of trousers, skirt or cargo shorts. Other items include a jersey skirt for £2.49, leggings or a skort for £3.49 and a two-pack of joggers for £5.99.
Lidl also offers a £5 school uniform bundle, containing two polo shirts, one sweatshirt and a choice of trousers, skirt or shorts. The supermarket's two-pack of polo shirts costs £1.75, working out at just 88p per shirt. Aldi and Lidl's uniform ranges are subject to availability, with the supermarkets advising shoppers to act quickly while stocks last.
Expert Advice for Parents
Joe Brunt, Consumer Finance Expert at Fast Loan UK, said: "With the summer holidays fast approaching, many parents will be starting to think about getting their children ready for the new school year. School uniforms can quickly become an expensive part of the back-to-school shop, particularly for families buying multiple sets or shopping for more than one child."
He added: "Our research shows that where parents shop can make a significant difference to the overall cost, with a £21 difference between the cheapest and most expensive baskets. Taking the time to compare prices and looking out for supermarket bundles and multi-buy offers could help families keep their back-to-school spending under control."
