Parents are putting together a school layette. 5 tips on how to do it cheaper

Record high inflation is forcing parents to look for attractive prices on school products. Many are looking for bargains on the Internet. However, the uncertainty surrounding the fourth wave of the pandemic and a possible hybrid learning scenario leaves parents facing a choice: what should they actually buy?

Google search statistics show that interest in "school layette" began briefly this year at the beginning of July, only to return permanently in August, reaching a peak of interest on August 15. The popularity of the keyword "school backpack" began to rise as the school year came to an end, reaching a peak of interest in the first week of August.

The price range of school products is large: a simple backpack in a promotion may cost 20 zlotys, but for a similar model with the logo of a well-known brand we will pay even ten times more. It's no wonder that many households are spreading their expenses and starting to assemble their school supplies earlier.

- It is a fact that the Minister of Education and Science has signed a relevant decree, according to which from September 1, 2021, all students will be taught in school on a pre-pandemic basis,§but recent months have taught many parents to be prepared for different scenarios. That's why electronic equipment for students, as well as home furnishings, are still in high demand in online stores. Today, school layette no longer looks like it did a few years ago - it's no longer limited to school supplies and backpacks, but includes good quality laptops, webcams and even armchairs and desks for comfortable learning at home," assesses Artur Halik, Head of Sales at Shoper, a platform that allows you to launch your own online store.

- The pandemic has somewhat accelerated the digitization of teaching, forcing Polish children to be equipped to take their lessons online. But it has also taken a harder toll on their parents' wallets. That's why it's worth remembering to compare offers when shopping online. Often by reviewing several instead of just one online store, you can save no small amount of money. The second important point: it's important to buy from reliable and trusted sellers. Let's check whether the store has terms and conditions on its website, whether there is the necessary information about the seller and the terms of purchase. Reviews from other customers are also a valuable advisor. A good store boasts them on its website. So before finalizing the purchase of a laptop at a super-price, let's spend a few minutes reviewing the store's website and checking whether it offers a safe shopping experience, the Shoper expert adds.

A school layette is an unavoidable expense in the August budget. When planning school expenses, parents can take advantage of the Good Start program, or PLN 300 in one-time support for students starting the school year. The money is intended for 4.4 million students.

In 2019, a Polish family spent an average of about PLN 1,718 on a school layette, according to an analysis by consulting firm Deloitte. Two-thirds of the expenses are clothes, shoes and school supplies. For families with one child, the cost of a school layette averages PLN 1388, with two children PLN 1898, and with three children PLN 2742. 7 out of 10 parents declared that they would go school shopping in August. This year, parents must prepare for higher prices than in previous years. In July, inflation in Poland reached an annual rate of 5 percent, the Central Statistical Office reported. The last time such high inflation was recorded in Poland was in 2011.

School starter online - how to buy cheaper

1. pay attention to the discounts given on the stores' websites - but compare the price not with the "base" price, but with the prices of competitors, for example, using comparison sites.

2 Keep in mind at the same time that buying each item of layette in another e-store also does not make sense due to shipping costs. Try to complete your order in such a way that it exceeds the free delivery threshold of the selected store.

3 Check if the store offers discounts for first purchases - for example, for signing up for the newsletter. This can earn you a discount code of up to 15%.

4 Don't forget your right to returns. Some stores offer more in this area than the regulations require, allowing you, for example, to order several sizes of P.E. outfits and send back the ones that don't fit.

5. if this year's layette includes a new laptop for remote classes, consider buying from a store with a deferred payment option (available on Shoper online stores) - this will allow you to spread its cost over other months.