Canadians face soaring prices as back-to-school shopping season returns

Ceilidh Fear is typically a bargain shopper.

But the mother of twoback-to-school shoppingplans to splurge a little on a trip.

The mother of 9- and 11-year-olds, based in Victoria, British Columbia, said, ``I believe I only buy new clothes once a year other than Christmas. , shop second." - Hand stores like Poshmark.

The back-to-school shopping season has arrived as inflation continues to drive up prices and squeeze consumer budgets.

READ MORE: How to Save on Clothing and Electronics for Back to School Amidst High Inflation

Still, families are expected to prioritize spending for the upcoming school year, as school supplies are considered a must-have category for many shoppers, according to retail experts.

There is also growing excitement for a return to a more normal pre-pandemic back to school. Most mask mandates have been lifted across Canada, and for some students it could be her first full in-person school year in three years.

"We hope to see a lot of in-store shopping as the fun tradition of family trips to stock up on fashion and school supplies returns," said Michelle, Canadian Retail Council spokeswoman. Vasily Shen said.

More than 85% of Canadians are making back-to-school purchases, according to a new survey by the group, with apparel being the top spending category, followed by books and electronics. is followed by

A poll conducted by Caddle suggests that back-to-school 77% of shoppers were found to spend $50 or more, consumers shop the most at big box stores, followed by clothing retailers.

Shoppers are doing everything they can to save on back-to-school shopping this year, says US The National Retail Federation, based in Canada, often sees shopping trends similar to those in Canada.

"[They] are cutting back on discretionary spending, shopping sales, and buying in-store or off-brand items to buy what they need for the next school year," he said. I was.

As shoppers become more price sensitive, retailers are expected to offer discounts and sales to attract consumers.

"Parents will be frugal and bargain-seeking," said retail analyst Bruce Winder. "You'll see consumers shop a lot."

But back-to-school shopping for her 11-year-old son Preston, who is in sixth grade, is much more complicated. I know that.

"Actually, you don't have to worry about her daughter's school supplies, but her son is given a supply list and has to go out and shop," she said. I was.

In search of a bargain, they were able to pick up duotan and coil-bound notebooks at Staples for 25 cents each.

"For $4.90 plus tax, I got all the Duo-Tangs and notebooks he needed," Fear said. Now she looks carefully at the flyers to find deals on the rest of the supplies.

"I'm usually the bargain type, so I try not to pay full price," said Fear. "I stop by the store on my way home from work to check sales, but gas is insane right now, so I try not to travel any further."

"The store grabs attention and We set the price very low,” Winder said. "It attracts shoppers and sets price perceptions for stores."

But even with discounts on key items, back-to-school bills are expected to be higher this year,

"Retailers are already raising prices significantly to offset some of their input costs," he said. “Discounts will be at regular prices that are already higher than pre-pandemic.”

Rising prices encourage shoppers to opt for lower-cost retailers and “trade-in” for cheaper options. I'm here.

Jenna Jacobson, an assistant professor at Toronto Metropolitan University's Ted Rogers School of Management, notes that ``Canadians are turning to low-cost retailers and low-cost options to increase their sales.

With prices significantly higher than last year, parents in Quebec face tough choices as back to school approaches 111}

About 30% of retailers said back-to-school shopping sales were significantly affected. , Retail Council.

"On the retail calendar, the back-to-school season is an important one with significant sales for many stores." It's a tough time," said Director Ramesh Venkat. David Thorby Center for Innovation in Retailing and Services at St. Mary's University in Halifax.

Some stores hope the back-to-school season will help clear excess inventory. Told. "They don't want to keep stock for another year, so they need to make sure they're wiped out."

Season, on the other hand, can serve as an early indicator of what to expect from the holiday season. often

"Some retailers are really using the back-to-school season as a way to build momentum for the holiday season," said senior vice of marketing at digital advertising firm VictorMedia in his president. says one Leslie Lee.

The return to in-person schooling this year appears to have boosted back-to-school advertising campaigns, she said. It has definitely decreased," she said. “These campaigns and messages are now focused on deals and markdowns rather than general lifestyles,” said Tamara Sames, Canadian retail industry advisor at

NPD Group. , said consumers feeling plagued by inflation are likely to focus on key back-to-school supplies.

"Consumers will be very cautious right now, looking for promotions and focusing on essentials," she said.

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