North Macedonia mandates price cuts for school supplies

The Government of North Macedonia has introduced a “school basket” measure to reduce the cost of school supplies for families ahead of the new academic year. Under this decision, wholesalers are required to lower prices by at least 10%, while retailers must ensure a minimum price reduction of 15% compared to prices held in June.

The measure covers a wide range of essential items, including backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, coloring materials, glue, scissors, and various didactic materials. Unlike previous years where a standardized package was used, retailers this year will be permitted to compose their own product bundles, allowing for different combinations based on brand and quality.

To ensure transparency, retailers are obligated to display both the new discounted price and the original price that was in effect on June 1. This initiative aims to prevent price hikes during the period of peak demand and provide direct financial relief to households, with previous implementations saving families approximately 2,000 denars per student.