A wide range of prices is seen in the school supplies market, with the Cyprus Consumers' Association urging parents and children to be careful and prepared when shopping.
After the price records through a survey carried out by the Cyprus Consumers Association, both online and in person at 10 points of sale throughout Cyprus, it is estimated that the prices of school supplies have a very wide range, with some fluctuations compared to the prices of 2023. According to the Association, some businesses offer their products at a lower price if the purchase is made online rather than in-store.
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In more detail, according to the data gathered by KSK, the cost of a school bag starts from €3.99 and can reach up to €209.95, depending on the size, design, and brand. The cost of a school case ranges from €0.79 to €51.40, while pencils, pens and markers start from €0.13 and go up to €14.99.
50 and 100-sheet notebooks, as well as two-issue spiral notebooks can cost from €0.39 to €9.99, while a filing folder can cost from €0.30 to €5.95.
In relation to school clothing, prices for school jerseys, including offers, range from €3.99 to €29.50, for school trousers from €6 to €26, while for school skirts from €11.50 to €25.
As the Association states in its announcement, compared to last year, school bags and caskets saw a decrease in the cheapest prices amounting to 20% and 47% respectively.
In contrast, markers, pencils, pens and filing folders saw a noticeable increase in the cheapest prices of 30% and 50% respectively. School bags did not show any fluctuation.
School bags and school bags saw a decrease in the most expensive prices of 38% and 21% respectively. In contrast, cassettes, markers, pencils, pens and filing folders saw a noticeable increase in the more expensive prices of 14%, 39% and 49% respectively.
The total purchase cost is determined according to the choices and needs of the student.
As the Association notes, the period of purchasing school supplies is an opportunity to educate children on how to navigate the market maze but also how to avoid the traps of advertising and unnecessary consumption. As noted, this requires planning, market research and price comparison.
Providing advice on shopping for school supplies, the Association suggests compiling and compiling a list of the items necessary for the start of the new school year, calling on parents to help children understand that there is a big difference between what they actually need for school and what they think they need.
In addition, he recommends doing market research to compare prices and check the quality of the items to be purchased.
The Association also advises parents to check whether the product is appropriate for the child's age, noting that for health safety purposes it is best to prevent children from buying school supplies that look like food or even have a food flavor.
In addition, he recommends that the choice of bag be made based on the student's physical strength, weight and build.
In the event that the purchase is made in person at the store, the Association suggests that consumers be informed of the returns policy in force before making the purchase, noting that for purchases from the store there is no legal obligation and it is up to the policy of each store whether accept returns or exchanges.
Finally, she notes that school supplies are tools for learning, not display.
In case of detection of violations concerning the safety and health of young students, such as for example the sale of school supplies that resemble food and food aroma, differences between the prices listed on the shelf and the prices paid by the consumer, misleading offers and non indication of the retail price, consumers can contact the Cyprus Consumers Association at 22516112 and at the email address [email protected], or the Consumer Hotline at 1429.
