International Schools can now save parents even more!

Yesterday in the House of Commons the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, announced a cut in UK VAT rate from 17.5% to 15% with effect from next Monday.

This means that all senior Schoolwear supplied from the UK direct to parents is now 2.5% cheaper. And that is in addition to all junior schoolwear being zero rated for VAT.

'Some international schools do not realize that parents buying school uniform from the UK pay UK tax – which means no VAT at all for junior garments and, now, just 15% for senior garments. This contrasts increasingly dramatically with local VAT in many countries running at 20% without any junior concession at all’ says Schoolwear International director Graham Michelli.

'We are not surprised to find significantly increased interest in our 'virtual school shop’ service, a button on the school’s website which leads directly to a 'virtual shop’ which we run entirely for the school and from the UK at UK tax rates. This offers parents really worthwhile savings - and even more so now’ Michelli continues.

Each virtual school shop is stocked only with garments and accessories agreed with the school in every detail and is a boon to parents who can do all their uniform shopping from the comfort of their home.

What is more, with all transactions conducted in sterling, the currently weak pound offers even better value when parents are buying in currencies including the euro and the dollar.

'Many schools want the margin that selling their school uniform locally can bring. But increasingly, schools are also discovering the attractions of getting the whole task out of their hair and into specialist hands. We would be very happy to help any school thinking about the 'virtual school shop’ option for their school uniform; it really is the very best value for parents – and by far the least trouble for schools!’ comments Michelli.

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