A good retail uniform is comfortable for a full day standing, easy to wash and replace, and in step with the shop's brand.
Match the uniform to the shop
Boutiques and lifestyle stores often go for a branded apron over staff's own clothes, or a casual shirt in a brand colour. Hardware, pet and garden retailers usually choose polos and fleeces, which suit lifting stock. Gift and card shops sit in between, with a cotton polo or tee.
Whatever the style, pick one colour that customers associate with your staff and use it consistently.
Deliveries and the stockroom
Unpacking cages and boxes is the hardest work in most shops. Polycotton polos and fleeces cope better than delicate shirts, and a waist apron with pockets holds a box cutter, price gun and pen. If staff use cages, pallet trucks or ladders, check your risk assessment for footwear and gloves.
Seasonal staff and the door
Christmas and sale periods bring temporary staff who need to look the part from day one. Keeping a stock of standard sizes saves last-minute scrambles. Staff working at the door, or in draughty entrances, appreciate a fleece or gilet in the shop colour.
Women's fit garments and a good size spread help everyone look tidy, not swamped.
Seasonal staff and busy periods
Shops often take on extra staff for Christmas and summer. Ordering a few spare polos or aprons in common sizes means new starters look part of the team from their first shift. A tote bag or shopper with your logo also works as merchandise, and every customer who reuses it carries your brand around town.
Where to put your logo
Embroidery on the left chest of polos, shirts and fleeces gives a lasting, professional finish that handles regular washing. For aprons, embroider the logo centrally on the bib where customers see it at the counter. A printed 'Here to help' or 'Staff' on the back can help in larger stores. Keep the design simple so it reads at a glance, and match thread colours to your shop signage.
Ordering for shops and retail staff
Most shops and retail staff start with branded polo shirts, aprons and tabards and check, denim and casual shirts. You can order from one garment and add more as you take people on. The logo price drops at 9 and again at 25 garments, and every garment with a small logo counts towards it, so mixing styles and colours still gets the better price. Before anything is made, we embroider an actual sample of your logo and email you a photo to approve, or you can pop in to our Hull workshop to see it.
