BUDGET-FRIENDLY supermarket Aldi is bringing back it’s popular £5 uniform bundle deal this week – but there’s a change and shoppers won’t like it.
Prices for school uniform essentials start at just £1.50 – the same as last year – meaning items are sure to fly off the shelves.
The budget supermarket will offer cheaper items than ever – but only in-storeGetty
The bundles are available from July 6, but you’ll have to be quick as they are classed as a Specialuy, as once they’re gone, that’s it.
But this year, the bundles are only available to buy in stores. In the past parents have been able to pre-order items online and get them delivered.
The change means parents will have to head to stores where stock isn’t always guaranteed – so they could be left disappointed.
It comes as Aldi is set to close its online delivery service from July 10, which means customers will no longer be able to order Specialbuys to their doorstep.
The £5 school bundle includes two polo shirts, one sweatshirt and either a skirt or a pair of trousers.
Individually, a sweatshirt costs £1.50, a girls or boys polo shirt costs £1.75 and a skirt or pair of trousers is also £1.75.
The items are available in sizes four years up to 12 and are available in a choice of colours.
Aldi also offers a pack of three shirts for £3.99 and two classic pinafore dresses for £6.99.
They also come with a six month satisfaction guarantee, which means you can get a refund on any faulty items that cannot be repaired or replaced.
Aldi will price match its bundle to any equivalent deals at rival supermarkets including Lidl, Asda, Morrisons, Tesco or M&S.
This means if you find the same items for cheaper at another supermarket, Aldi will match the price.
But Aldi is among the cheapest options available of many high street stores.
School uniform prices are hitting families hard as the cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets.
Charity The Children’s Society found parents spend an average of £287 a year on primary school uniforms and £422 on secondary school uniforms.
What other school uniform deals are available?
Budget supermarket Lidl is also offering a £5 uniform bundle deal from July 6, and the items will be available until stocks run out.
This is the second year Lidl has run the deal, which includes a sweatshirt, two polo shirts and a skirt, a pair of shorts or a pair of trousers.
Lidl will also donate 50p to the charity NSPCC for every bundle sold.
Asda’s George range offers a two-pack of polo shirts for £3, while a two-pack of shorts is £5 and a two-pack of skirts is £7.
Tesco offers a three-pack of shirts for £5.50 and a two-pack of skirts from £7.
Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s Tu range has matched its prices from last year, with polo shirts available from £3 and waterproof trousers from £4.
How else can I save on school uniform?
If you are struggling to afford the cost of school uniform or PE kit, you may be able to apply for a grant from your local council – but the criteria varies from council to council.
This is usually in the form of a one-off payment paid directly into your bank account. Some councils will reimburse payments made to approved retailers.
You can ask your local council what help is available and when you need to apply.
If you can’t get targeted help from your council, there are other options to get cheap uniform.
Speak to your school to see if they can offer you some clothing.
Some charities offer help to families in need too. Charity Turn2Us has a free grants search tool on its website which you can use to find out what help is available to you.
Charity shops can also be a good place to find cheap school uniform.
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