BACK-to-school season often brings a flurry of activity as parents and students prepare for the new academic year.
However, navigating the array of prices for school supplies can be challenging, with costs varying significantly from one retailer to another.
In an exclusive interview with The U.S. Sun, Roy Avidor, CEO and co-founder of Cymbio, a multichannel growth platform, said several factors contribute to these price discrepancies, including supply chain issues, inflation, and regional pricing strategies.
The U.S. Sun has compared the prices of popular items like Five Star notebooks, Sharpie multicolored chisel tips, scissors, and Elmer’s glue sticks across major retailers:
By examining these variations, parents and students might gain insight into where to find the best deals on back-to-school shopping.
NOTEBOOKS
Five Star notebooks, known for their durability and quality, show considerable price variation across different retailers.
While stores like Walmart, Target, Office Depot, and Walgreens offer a range of prices for these notebooks, there’s an option that provides a budget-friendly alternative with a dupe that mimics the look and feel of the Five Star brand.
For Five Star notebooks, Target offers the lowest price at $2.99, followed closely by Walmart at $3.12.
Dollar Tree provides a generic alternative for just $1.25, which is the most budget-friendly option.
Meanwhile, Walgreens sells the notebooks for $4.40, and Office Depot has the highest price at $4.49.
HIGHLIGHTERS
When it comes to Sharpie multicolored chisel tips, Walmart narrowly beats Target with a price of $2.44 compared to $2.49.
Dollar Tree offers the lowest overall price at $1.25, although it may come with fewer color options.
Walgreens and Office Depot charge $3.99 and $3, respectively, making them the more expensive choices.
PENCILS
If you’re looking for the best budget option, Target leads with the lowest price per pencil at just $0.39 for an eight pack.
The up&up #2 wood pencils offer smooth writing and are made from real wood, providing reliability and value for both school and office use.
At Walmart, you can find the Pen+Gear #2 HB Wood Yellow Pencils for $0.47 per eight-count pack.
These unsharpened, classic yellow wooden pencils are versatile, making them suitable for a range of tasks, from drafting essays to brainstorming ideas.
Office Depot has a slightly higher price point with its Office Depot Brand Wood Pencils, #2 Lead, Medium, Pack of 12 on sale for $0.90.
Although the pack size is smaller compared to some competitors, it includes pre-sharpened pencils, adding convenience for immediate use.
At Walgreens, the Pre-Sharpened No. 2 Pencils eight count are also available for $0.90.
While the price per pencil is slightly higher, the pre-sharpened feature is a plus for students needing reliable, ready-to-use tools.
GLUE STICKS
For Elmer’s glue sticks, Walmart is the clear winner at just $0.97.
SALE AWAY
A recent study by Prodigy gathered data regarding parents’ back-to-school shopping experiences. Here is what the study found:
- Those who shop two weeks before school starts pay the least for supplies on average ($127), while those who start more than two months before school starts pay the most ($205)
- The most expensive grades to shop for are 1st grade, 3rd grade, and Kindergarten
- Two in five parents believe it’s unfair to buy communal supplies, or supplies that will be collected by the teacher and redistributed among students
- Seven in 10 parents say school supplies are too expensive, and two in three believe schools require too many supplies
- Searches for back-to-school supplies have increased 260% in the past month
- Nevada is the state with the most searches for school supplies
- Portland, Oregon, Columbus, Ohio, and Kansas City, Missouri are the cities with the most searches for school supplies
Dollar Tree is close behind at $1.25, and Office Depot comes in at $1.99.
Walgreens and Target are the priciest, at $3.99 and $3.59, respectively.
SCISSORS
For scissors, Dollar Tree again has the best price at $1.25.
Walgreens and Office Depot follow, offering them for $2.25 and $2.49, respectively.
Walmart prices its scissors at $4.48, while Target is the most expensive, selling them for $4.99.
BUY IT NOW
Dollar Tree
- Glue sticks – $1.25
- Highlighters – $1.25
- Notebooks – $1.25
- Scissors – $1.25
Office Depot
- Elmer’s Glue Sticks – $1.99
- Five Star Notebooks – $4.49
- Scissors – $2.49
- Sharpie Highlighters – $3.00
Target
- Elmer’s Glue Stick – $3.59
- Five Star Notebooks – $2.99
- Scissors – $4.99
- Sharpie Highlighters – $2.49
Walgreens
- Elmer’s Glue Sticks – $3.99
- Five Star Notebooks – $4.40
- Scissors – $2.25
- Sharpie Highlighters – $3.99
Walmart
- Elmer’s Glue Sticks – $0.97
- Five Star Notebooks – $3.12
- Scissors – $4.48
- Sharpie Highlighter – $2.44
RISE IN PRICES
Parents are facing challenges with back-to-school shopping as prices remain persistently high, as evidenced by the pricing of some basic and essential school items.
Inflation always takes a toll on the average consumer, and back-to-school products are a basic necessity.
Roy Avidor
Surveys indicate that many parents feel they are spending more on clothing and school supplies than in previous years, with some even considering postponing necessary purchases or paying bills to afford their children’s supplies.
Avidor shed light upon how the recent rise in back-to-school prices is primarily driven by the current economic situation.
“Inflation always takes a toll on the average consumer, and back-to-school products are a basic necessity,” Avidor explained.
Inflation has increased the average spending per student to around $850, reflecting an almost 14% rise from the previous year, with more than half of shoppers now actively seeking discounts, he said.
Prices for back-to-school items tend to fluctuate throughout the year, typically rising in July and early August when demand peaks.
“However, prices could drop as the school year starts, with retailers offering last-minute deals,” noted the expert.
While early-bird purchases often provide savings, those willing to wait may find even better bargains as the season progresses.
Prices could drop as the school year starts, with retailers offering last-minute deals
Roy Avidor
KEY PLAYERS
Retail technology and automation tools like those offered by Cymbio play a significant role in managing price fluctuations, according to Avidor.
These platforms enable brands and retailers to gain better visibility into inventory and market trends, which helps reduce pricing issues related to stock levels.
By optimizing inventory, order management, and shipping operations, brands can focus on growth and enhancing customer service, staying competitive despite economic challenges.
Supply chain disruptions and logistical challenges also contribute to the recent price increases.
“Ongoing supply chain disruptions, coupled with increasing shipping and production costs, have contributed to price increases,” Avidor said, adding that many retailers now face 20% higher logistics and transportation costs, which ultimately impact the final prices for consumers.
In response to these rising costs, retailers often employ various strategies, such as pricing promotions and sales events, to mitigate the impact on consumers, Avidor said.
Research shows that nearly 45% of parents plan to shop sales and take advantage of tax holidays to save on back-to-school expenses, and many retailers are planning their strategies accordingly.
Looking ahead, the expert believes that most price spikes will likely be temporary, anticipating that factors like potential Federal Reserve rate cuts and the resolution of sea freight challenges could stabilize costs.
Ultimately, brands and retailers that can offer value through competitive pricing, excellent customer experiences, and adaptability will be best positioned to attract and retain customers in the long term.
Ongoing supply chain disruptions, coupled with increasing shipping and production costs, have contributed to price increases
Roy Avidor
STAYING COMPETITIVE
To remain competitive amidst rising costs, brands and retailers are focusing on enhancing the customer experience.
“Customer service and a personalized shopping experience, alongside competitive pricing, are key,” Avidor told The U.S. Sun.
Technologies like Cymbio, he said, help brands and retailers stay ahead by automating processes and optimizing inventory, which in turn allows them to offer competitive prices and improve customer satisfaction.
Data-driven insights also support strategic decision-making, enabling retailers to quickly adapt to market trends and maintain growth.
By understanding these factors, consumers can make more informed choices when shopping for back-to-school items, balancing cost, quality, and timing to find the best deals.
To see more price comparisons, The U.S. Sun has learned the differences between Aldi and Walmart’s pricing.
Plus, check out a more extensive analysis of the cheapest wooden pencils across six retailers.
