Back-to-school shopping spikes as prices fluctuate

in an article written by Kathimerini's Anna Polyviou, back-to-school shopping is in full swing with the new school year just around the corner.  Consumers scramble to buy essentials like clothing, footwear, stationery, and school bags, taking advantage of a wide variety of products and offers to suit their needs and budgets.

Retailers, including bookstores, department stores, and supermarkets, are heavily promoting back-to-school items through daily advertisements. Prices for school supplies this year show some fluctuations compared to 2023, with more consumers turning to online shopping for better deals. Data from the Cyprus Consumer Association (CCA) indicates some companies offer lower prices online compared to in-store purchases, reflecting a growing trend in internet shopping.

In comparison to 2023, prices for some school supplies have dropped. The lowest prices for school bags and cases have decreased by 20% and 47% respectively. For instance, school bags now start at €3.99, down from €5.00 last year, and cases at €0.79, compared to €1.50 last year. However, at the higher end, prices for school bags have dropped by 38%, while the most expensive cases have increased by 14%, now costing €51.40 compared to €45.00 last year.

Stationery items, such as pencils, pens, and markers, have seen price increases across both low and high price ranges, with the cheapest prices rising by 30% and the most expensive by 38%. For example, the lowest cost of stationery has increased from €0.10 last year to €0.13 this year, while the most expensive has gone up from €10.80 to €14.99. School notebooks have remained stable in price at the lower end but have seen a 20% decrease at the higher end.

School clothing prices have slightly decreased compared to last year. Prices for school shirts, including promotions, range from €3.99 to €29.50, trousers from €6 to €26, and skirts from €11.50 to €25, based on a survey by the CCA.

The CCA advises consumers to conduct thorough market research before purchasing school supplies to compare prices and assess the quality of items, helping to avoid unnecessary expenses and make smarter buying decisions.