As with all products, inflation has continued driving up prices in 2023. With folders, writing blocks, pens and school books, how much does ‘back to school’ really cost?
Second-hand books remain popular, but with frequent updates to school books and new editions sometimes required every year, this often limits parents’ ability to buy second-hand - and for older students to pass them on for a cheaper price, in a time when more emphasis is placed on recycling.
In conversation with RTL, some suppliers stressed that they are trying to accommodate families by offering the goods most in demand at better prices. They also start getting everything ready early on so that their customers can get better deals and start stocking up as early as June. “School was not even out yet and we were already ready”, stated one salesperson.
Parents welcome that the government covers the costs of school books. They also express gratitude to teachers who offer to buy supplies in advance and ask for reimbursement later on.
The costs of school supplies generally decrease with age. University students, for instance, tend to buy only what is really unavoidable while pupils in primary schools still insist on getting the latest booklets and crayons every year.
Are you feeling the strain of higher school supply costs? Have you seen a development in prices over the last years? What solutions would you recommend?
Get in touch via contenttoday@rtl.lu before 30 August with the subject ‘school supplies’ to share your experience with the community. Responses will remain anonymous if preferred.
