The Cyprus Consumers Association (CCA) recommends careful planning, market research and price comparison for the purchase of school supplies, where its research has found there is a wide range in the prices of products.
The Association conducted research and recorded prices, both online and in person, at 10 points of sale across Cyprus and concluded that there had been some fluctuations compared to 2024 prices.
More specifically, according to data collected by the CCA, the cost of a school bag starts at €4.99 and can reach up to €209.95, depending on the size, design, and brand.
The cost of a pencil case ranges from €0.71 to €44.95, while pencils, pens and markers start at €0.19 and go up to €14.99 each.
Μεανςηιλε, 50- and 100-sheet notebooks, as well as two-subject spiral notebooks can cost from €0.32 to €12.99, while an folder can cost from €0.38 to €5.39.
In relation to school clothing, prices for school jerseys and shirts, including special offers, range from €3.99 to €48, for school pants from €11 to €26, and for school skirts from €5 to €22.95.
Compared to last year, a decrease in the cheapest prices of pencil cases and notebooks was observed, amounting to 10% and 18% respectively. On the contrary, a significant increase in the cheapest prices of school bags, markers, pencils, pens and folders was observed, amounting to 25%, 46% and 27% respectively.
In the most expensive options, compared to last year, school bags, as well as markers, pencils and pens, did not show any increase or decrease. In pencil cases and folders, a decrease in the most expensive prices of 12.5% and 9% respectively, was observed, and in school notebooks, a noticeable increase in the most expensive prices of 30% was observed.
The Association informs that some businesses offer their products at a lower price if the purchase is made online, rather than with a physical presence in the store.
It also notes that all the survey data was obtained from the exact same points of sale on which the Association's corresponding survey for the year 2024 was based.
"The school supplies shopping period is an opportunity to educate our children on how to navigate the maze of the market and how to avoid the traps of advertising and unnecessary consumption. To achieve this, planning, market research and price comparison are needed," the Association points out in its announcement.
In addition, it advises parents and children, when purchasing school supplies, to make a list of the items that are necessary for the start of the new school year. "Parents are called upon to help children understand that there is a big difference between what they really need for school and what they think they need," the Association notes.
It also recommends conducting market research for the purposes of comparing prices and checking the quality of the items to be purchased. During the check, the Association suggests finding out whether the product is appropriate for the child's age. As it notes, it is essential for health safety purposes to prevent children from purchasing school supplies that resemble food or even have a food aroma.
The Association also advises that the choice of bag be made based on the student's physical strength, as well as the bag's weight and construction.
In the event that the purchase is made in person at the store, the Association calls on consumers to ensure that they are informed about the returns policy in force before making the purchase and to remember that there is no legal obligation regarding purchases from the store and it is up to the policy of each store whether it will accept returns or exchanges.
Finally, it states that school supplies are tools for learning and not for showing off.
In the event of violations concerning the safety and health of young students, such as the sale of school supplies that resemble food and/or have food aromas, differences between the prices listed on the shelf and the prices paid by the consumer, misleading offers and failure to indicate the retail selling price, the Association invites consumers to contact it on 22516112 and at the email address info@katanalotis.org.cy or through the Consumer Line on 1429.
(Source: InBusinessNews)