School, coming sting for families: + 7% for books, backpacks and pencil cases

On the school front, the usual September “sting” linked to the purchase of books and school supplies by families is about to break down. This was stated by Codacons, which, as every year, provides official data on high school prices and the expenses that parents will have to face at the start of the new school year. Based on an initial monitoring carried out by Codacons in physical stores and at specialized e-commerce sites, it turns out that for diaries, cases, backpacks and various school materials (notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, markers, etc.) prices are up on average by + 7% compared to last year, following the trend of inflation which records a marked increase in our country, explains the consumer association. This year the price of a branded backpack reaches 200 euros, while for an equipped designer case (with pens, pencils, eraser and markers) the expense reaches the peak of 60 euros. Another item that affects the outlay for the kit is that relating to the diary, which this year reaches 30 euros for the most famous brands. The products that on the web and e-commerce sites are absolutely more expensive are those signed by influencers, football teams and famous people who have launched specific lines for the school in order to exploit the children’s business, analyzes the Codacons. On the basis of the strong increases that are affecting the school sector there are several factors: first of all the expensive-energy, which aggravates the production costs of school materials leading to an increase in retail price lists. Secondly, the crisis of raw materials, with the prices of paper, plastic, textiles and adhesives – indispensable for making notebooks, diaries, pens, backpacks, etc. – which have undergone significant increases in the last year. Finally, the higher transport costs caused by the increase in fuel prices. The disbursement for complete school material can thus reach 588 euros per student on an annual basis during the 2022/2023 school year, to which must be added the cost for textbooks, another item that will heavily affect the portfolios of Italian families , which varies according to the level of education and the school, with the overall expenditure borne by families which – including equipment and books – can easily reach 1,300 euros per student this year. it is possible to save significantly and reduce costs by 40% by following some useful tips disseminated by Codacons: do not chase fashions and influencers. These days all the televisions are bombarding your children with advertisements aimed at the purchases needed for school. Take them away from the TV and do not let yourself be influenced by the advertising market. Not chasing fashions, you could spend 40% less for the kit, buying products of the same quality. Just don’t buy items related to cartoon characters or famous dolls. Supermarket? In supermarkets, explains Codacons, it is possible to save up to 30% compared to stationery books. Go with the detailed shopping list and force yourself to respect it. In this period, some supermarket chains even sell school products at bargain prices: they are the so-called “owl” products. Goods are even sold below cost, counting on the fact that in any case you will end up buying everything else too. Take advantage of it by purchasing only the civetta products! Then change supermarket! Postpone purchases. We have a bad habit of buying everything we need during the year right away. Stocks of notebooks and pens can also be purchased at a later date. Often, by waiting, you save money. Wait for the professors. For the more technical things (from compasses to dictionaries), then, it is good to wait for the instructions of the professors, in order to avoid unnecessary or deficient purchases, explains Codacons. Promotional offers and fixed price kits are welcome! They can be convenient. If they are not the result of an agreement with consumer associations, which act as guarantor, still compare the prices and check the quality of the product, especially for the backpack (for which we advise against the purchase in any case, giving preference to the trolley ), concludes the Codacons.