School Uniform Sales Rise 22% in 2 Years

School uniform sales grew by 22% over the last two years, reaching $1.1 billion in 2000, according to NPD Group Inc., a Port Washington, N.Y.-based research firm. A survey of 9,000 U.S. households found that 14% of respondents with school-age children had at least one child who is required to wear a uniform. Uniforms now account for 5% of the $20.4-billion children’s apparel market. NPD described uniform sales as a “significant share” of the overall children’s apparel market.