ECA warns schools against selling uniforms and supplies through exclusive agreements with retailers

The Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA) has warned schools against selling uniforms and supplies through exclusive distribution agreements with retailers, claiming that these agreements are detrimental to market competitiveness, according to a statement on Monday (pdf). The ECA recommended that schools issue generic and simple uniforms that are easy to acquire and keep only one unique identifier, such a tie or badge, that can be sold separately. The statement was issued after several parents sent complaints to the ECA against retailers raising the prices of school uniforms unfairly.