The start of the school year is usually synonymous with a lot of expenses for families. There are new books to buy, school materials, uniforms, sportswear… A long list, sometimes endless, that makes family spending skyrocket when September arrives.
The amount of money that parents in Spain will have to spend to provide their children with the necessary material for the return to school in the 2025-2026 academic year is the highest in the last seven years. Specifically, households will spend an average of more than €500 per pupil, compared to around €492 spent during the previous school year, according to Statista data.
The products that respondents will buy most during the back-to-school period will be school supplies, with 84% of those surveyed mentioning them; books (73%); and clothes (70%). Of particular note is the 16% who say they also intend to buy computers and electronic devices.
This significant outlay may decrease in some autonomous communities, such as Andalusia. According to data from the Cetelem Observatory, the average spending forecast by Andalusians for the back-to-school season in September stands at €340. This represents 19% less than the national average.
As the prices of books, uniforms and school supplies skyrocket, many families are looking for options to try to save money. This time of year is a particular challenge for low-income families. According to the Plataforma por la Infancia (Platform for Children), 34% of children in Spain live at risk of poverty.
The second-hand market is gaining in popularity
As for borrowing books or buying second-hand, these are options that many of those surveyed are considering, in order to reduce their expenditure.
The ‘Vinted phenomenon’ has spread from the second-hand clothing market to Christmas gifts. Inflation and increased environmental awareness has boosted the market for second-hand clothing and accessories in recent years. By 2030, it could be double the size of the fast fashion market, according to experts.
In the case of school supplies, 64% of those surveyed in Andalusia stated that they would reuse materials from the previous school year as far as possible, while 36% indicated that they would opt for second-hand purchases.
27% of Andalusians said they would take advantage of book lending programmes. More and more families are turning to second-hand, especially in the case of textbooks. There are buying and selling platforms such as Wallapop or Milanuncios, as well as local initiatives in schools and parents’ associations that organise exchanges. This practice not only saves up to 50% of school supply expenses, but also encourages more sustainable consumption.
Choosing second-hand supplies can save up to €400 in total during the back-to-school period.
Other tips to avoid being ruined by the back-to-school season
Here are some tips to make the back-to-school outlay less of an uphill struggle:
- Take stock and buy only what you need. Reusing school supplies that can still be used from previous years is essential for saving money. It is advisable to make a list of what is really needed to avoid duplicate and unnecessary purchases.
- Comparing prices and taking advantage of online offers is another saving option. The Internet can be an ally when buying school supplies. In addition, department stores and e-commerce launch discount campaigns in August and September.
- Group buying is a little explored but very effective option: parents from the same class or school can organise themselves to buy material in bulk and get better prices on lots of books and school material.
- It is possible to stagger purchases throughout the school year, prioritising the basics and leaving the rest for later. This allows you to take advantage of autumn promotions or even the Black Friday sales. Staggered shopping avoids the economic impact concentrated in September.
