M&S has joined forces with Oxfam and eBay to launch a new pre-loved school uniform swap scheme at hundreds of its stores across the UK.
In what is a first-time collaboration between the national retailer, global welfare charity, and online secondhand marketplace, M&S’s long-standing and hugely-successful ‘Shwopping’ scheme has now been extended with the introduction of more than 200 dedicated school uniform Shwop boxes inside stores nationwide.
Shoppers can donate their pre-loved school uniform to M&S’s ‘Back-to-School Shwopping Boxes’, and receive vouchers for up to 20% off selected items in the retailer’s kidswear section.
All pre-loved school uniform pieces donated to the new M&S boxes will first be inspected to see if they pass the hand-me-down quality test, and once they do, will then be given a second life in an Oxfam shop somewhere in the UK.
Also for the first time, the pieces will even be made available on a dedicated pre-loved school uniform shop on eBay too.
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M&S launches new pre-loved school uniform swap scheme at hundreds UK stores / Credit: M&S
By partnering with eBay, M&S and Oxfam say they hope the new scheme – which has been launched as a pilot, with the hopes of a full nationwide rollout in due course – will mean that even more families can access affordable and great quality school uniform “no matter where they live or how they choose to shop”.
And if all of that wasn’t important enough as it is, M&S says that every school uniform sale, whether it be through Oxfam’s shops or via eBay, will also raise funds to support the vital work that Oxfam does to tackle poverty and inequality all around the world.
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Any school uniform that can’t be resold in Oxfam shops or on eBay will be recycled or reused wherever possible, M&S has confirmed.
The retailer has joined forces with Oxfam and eBay for the new scheme / Credit: M&S
M&S’s Kidswear Director Alexandra Dimitriu said the new ‘Back-to-School Shwopping Boxes’ are just one of the many ways the retailer is “trying to make our best-in-class school uniform accessible to all families, however and whenever they choose to shop.”
Lorna Fallon, who is Oxfam’s Retail Director, added that the new scheme is “a win-win initiative”, as it not only helps parents who may be struggling with the cost of kitting their children out for school, but it’s also a simple way for shoppers to “make a huge difference” to the environment as it gives garments a longer lifecycle, and raises funds for Oxfam’s lifesaving work along the way.
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eBay’s Head of Pre-Loved Fashion, Lucy Peacock, says the cost of living crisis has created “greater education poverty” and “an ever-increasing need for school uniforms”, which is why the marketplace is “proud” to be able to help pilot the new scheme.
Keep your eye out for M&S’s new ‘Back-to-School Shwopping Boxes’ at stores across Greater Manchester and the UK.
Featured Image – M&S
Shopping
First look at Topshop in Manchester as beloved brand returns to British high streets
Daisy Jackson
Topshop is officially back on British high streets, and if you’re old enough to remember the struggle of contorting yourself into a pair of Joni jeans, you’re going to want to pay attention to this news…
The iconic fashion giant shut its stores back in 2021, leaving a huge hole in shopping centres across the nation.
But now Topshop and Topman are back in stores, with 32 new Topshop retail spaces and seven new Topman locations launching today.
Mancs will now be able to shop cult denim, statement jackets, and trend-driven wardrobe staples (just like the golden days of Topshop) at the Trafford Centre.
It’s all thanks to a new nationwide partnership with John Lewis, which will see a curated edit of around 130 styles available in-store across womenswear, menswear and footwear.
In store, that includes a full range of jeans (including those beloved Joni and Jamie jeans, plus more modern barrel-leg styles), graphic tees, knitwear, bomber jackets, and dresses.
There are Topshop retail spaces inside John Lewis at both the Trafford Centre and in Cheadle, but our closest Topman will be across in Leeds.
John Lewis has also become the exclusive UK physical retailer for Topshop footwear for SS26.
Inside Topshop at the Trafford Centre in ManchesterThe iconic Joni and Jamie jeans are back
Michelle Wilson, managing director of Topshop, said: “Today is about making it easier for customers to access the Topshop and Topman pieces they love.
“From our cult denim to new‐season footwear, you can see it, feel it and take it home the same day. Partnering with John Lewis brings Topshop back to high streets across the UK with the level of service our customers expect.”
Peter Ruis, managing director of John Lewis, added: “Topshop and Topman are brands with enormous cultural relevance, and their return to physical retail is something our customers are genuinely excited about.
“This partnership reflects our focus on bringing iconic names, strong style and compelling experiences into our stores.”
First Look: Matcha Made and The Trafford Centre makes for a perfect marriage
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s newest matcha spot just dropped, and we know it’s an easy pun, but it really does feel like a match made in heaven.
Just picture the scene: there’s a big birthday or holiday coming up, so you’ve arrived at The Trafford Centre early to get in a full day of shopping, eating and being generally leisurely – but you need an early caffeine fix and maybe some light, fluffy yet still filling pastry to keep you going.
There are very few places better to start this kind of day than at Matcha Made, who’ve just opened up in the North West’s massive and most famous shopping mall.
Fronted by a lovely lineup of smiling staff who couldn’t do enough for you and are more than happy to give you advice or simply plug their own recommendations, we can see ourselves coming back here for the service alone.
They’ve arrived in the big leisure complex just in time for February half-term, too, meaning any parents needing an alternative caffeine hit can fuel up right here.
Specialising in the Japanese and super healthy green tea craze that currently has the UK in a chokehold, only directly out of a tap – almost like a zen twist of draught beer taps – the art is not only in how green the raw matcha itself tastes but in the flavours and finishing touches.
This stylish pastel green hatch might not be the only place to get your matcha on in The Trafford Centre, but it might just be the best already.
It was immediately apparent that the staff had a clear favourite: the Biscoff foam version, but they said their simple but sweet and satisfying strawberry one has also proved to be one of the most popular.
There’s plenty of fruity options to choose from; they’ve got their own take on the fellow contemporary trend of banana pudding for anyone looking for a fix, and even ume plum, or you can just go for a straight-up coffee or hot chocolate as well.
So yeah, even if your partner isn’t quite ready to admit they’re a secret ‘matcha girlie’, then they can spend a little bit more time lying to themselves over this side of the menu.
Whether you want it topped with cream, shavings or a light dusting of cocoa powder, you can make this little drink just about as decorative as you like.
Besides being more reasonably priced than we were expecting, given the ongoing matcha boom, you’ve also got the big bonus of a fridge stocked with bakes from local favourite La Chouqette. Sold.
Emily Sergeant -
4th July 2023 
