28 images OCTOBER 2026 www.images-magazine.com INDUSTRY EVENT It’s the community which makes The Schoolwear Show so valuable, says Mark Woolgar, show director and The Parently Group’s MD. He highlights why this year’s event should be in your diary The Schoolwear Show2026: Preview Can visitors expect to see any launches at the show? Yes, a number of exhibitors are planning to present new products and developments at this year’s show. Visitors can expect innovation across fabrics, decoration, footwear, sportswear, outerwear, accessories and business technology. The show will provide an excellent opportunity to see the latest developments firsthand and discuss them directly with the businesses behind them. WhyshouldImagesreaders visit The Schoolwear Show – how will it benefit their business? Schoolwear can provide garment decorators with valuable, repeat business, and the show offers an opportunity to explore the sector immediately after the busy back-toschool period. Visitors can compare decorationfriendly garments, embroidery and print solutions, sportswear, outerwear and accessories while speaking directly to suppliers about technical performance, stock continuity, pricing and margins. It is also an opportunity to understand the wider issues affecting the sector, exchange experiences with other businesses, and identify products Mark Woolgar or services that could help them build a stronger and more profitable schoolwear offer. Will there be any seminars or special events? The seminar programme will return and will again be tailored to independent retailers, schoolwear suppliers, garment decorators and other industry professionals. The sessions will cover the new legislation and its practical implications, together with wider topics such as business performance, changing consumer behaviour, and opportunities to develop and diversify. There will also be networking opportunities around the seminars and throughout the show, and individual exhibitors are expected to offer product demonstrations, technical advice and show-specific activities. Will the current political discussions around schoolwear be highlighted at theshow? Yes. The new school uniform legislation will inevitably be a significant backdrop to this year’s show as retailers, suppliers and schools adapt to the changes that came intoeffect in September. The show provides an important opport nity to discuss what hose changes mean in practice. The Schoolwear Association has been working hard to keep the ndustry informed and rovide guidance, and we expect the subject o feature prominently in he seminar programme nd in conversations roughout the event. What are the key trends n the industry at the oment? ffordability is naturally an portant issue, but the onversation is increasingly out long-term value rather than simply finding the lowest price. Sustainability remains important, with suppliers continuing to explore recycled materials and more responsible manufacturing processes. Diversification is another significant trend, and we are also seeing continued development in decoration methods, ecommerce, EPOS and stock-management technology. This breadth will be reflected across the show’s mix of products, suppliers and services. Which bit of the show are you most looking forward to? I am most excited about bringing the industry together following such a significant period of change. The show takes place immediately after the first back-to-school season under the new rules, so retailers and suppliers will have real experiences to share. It will be an opportunity to move beyond speculation, discuss what has happened in practice and identify constructive ways forward. The formal meetings and seminars are important, but so are the conversations that happen naturally throughout the show. Businesses exchange ideas, strengthen relationships and often discover that others are facing the same challenges. That sense of community and shared momentum is what makes The Schoolwear Show particularly valuable. The Schoolwear Show takes place on 11-12 October 2026 at Cranmore Park in Solihull. The show is free to attend, although visitors must pre-register via the website. www.theschoolwearshow.co.uk opportunit t p A w in p w to th an th W in mo A im co ab The Schoolwear Show is the ideal place to see new products and meet industry colleagues
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