Back-to-school shopping evolves with inflation, online apps, and recycling
Back-to-school shopping traditions continue to evolve alongside inflation, online options, and the growing popularity of reusing items.
Charlotte Sholten is about to enter Grade 8, and plans to salvage many school supplies from Grade 7.
“Binders, pencil cases, my calculator, my stapler,” says Sholten, listing some of the items she won’t be purchasing for September.
In addition to recycling, more families are planning to purchase second-hand for back-to-school shopping this year, (42 per cent, up from 40 per cent in 2023) according to a recent Deloitte survey.
There’s a potential of $31.3 billion in back-to-school shopping sales for Canadian retailers.
“It’s usually the number two in terms of largest spending time outside of the holidays, outside of Christmas time,” says Bruce Winder, a Toronto-based retail analyst. “It also represents a fairly high margin opportunity because you’re selling a lot of clothing and footwear which is generally a nice margin opportunity for retailers.”
The Deloitte survey finds Canadian families plan to budget an average of $586 per student for back-to-school shopping this year, compared to $597 in 2023, and $661 in 2022.
“You’re finding a tightening in how much parents are willing to spend on back-to-school,” says Winder. “Inflation is coming down, but it’s still high.”
The same survey also finds that key back-to-school shopping categories increased noticeably in price between 2020 and 2024, with children’s clothing up about 15 per cent, footwear up about 10 per cent, and stationary up about 25 per cent.
“Consumers are behaving differently,” says Winder. “One of the things they’re doing now is they’re looking for deals. They’ve given up on loyalty, so there’s less brand loyalty or store loyalty.”
Online shopping apps and websites are also changing habits, says Windsor.
“They have really picked up a lot of market share from general merchandisers in North America because they set the consumer up direct-to-factory.”
In addition to shopping, the survey finds eight in 10 Canadian parents plan to enroll their children in extra-curricular school activities this school year at an average cost of $582 per child.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7031520.1725924339!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh convenes caucus in Montreal to plot post-deal path forward
Just days after demolishing his deal with Justin Trudeau’s Liberals, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is holding a three-day strategy session with his MPs in Montreal.
An Israeli strike on a Gaza humanitarian zone tent camp kills at least 40 people, Palestinians say
An Israeli strike on a crowded tent camp housing Palestinians displaced by the war in Gaza killed at least 40 people and wounded 60 others early Tuesday, Palestinian officials said. Israel said it targeted 'significant' Hamas militants and disputed the death toll.
2 hospitalized, suspects sought after 'extreme case of road rage' in B.C.: RCMP
Mounties in B.C.'s Lower Mainland are searching for two people allegedly responsible for a road rage incident that sent a couple to hospital with serious injuries, saying the suspects could be in another province.
Forgotten Cheetos snack bag can have 'world-changing' impact, U.S. national park says
A U.S. national park is cautioning tourists about how a small bag of Cheetos could have an enormous impact.
Why is this village in Quebec facing a 370 per cent property tax hike?
Residents in the small Quebec village of Danford Lake may soon be priced out of their homes, as property valuations and taxes are set to skyrocket.
Calgary's police chief speaks out against Alberta's anticipated photo radar crackdown
Calgary’s police chief has issued a grave warning about the potential impact of further restrictions on photo radar use in Alberta.
Woman who died in B.C. jail cell had asked to be taken to hospital twice, report shows
A woman who died from drug toxicity while in a B.C. jail cell asked to be taken to hospital twice in the hours after she was taken into custody in a case the province's police watchdog says again raises concerns over the treatment of intoxicated prisoners.
James Earl Jones, acclaimed actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93
James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen — eventually lending his deep, commanding voice to CNN, 'The Lion King' and Darth Vader — has died. He was 93.
Romeo Dallaire now recovered from severe infection: CTV News Exclusive
Romeo Dallaire is ready to return to public life again this fall after a serious health scare forced the retired lieutenant-general to postpone his cross-country book tour in March.