Polish parents face rising back-to-school costs

A recent study by SW Research for Empik reveals that Polish parents are facing significant costs for back-to-school preparations. More than half of the surveyed parents plan to spend over 500 PLN on school supplies, with 25% expecting to spend more than 700 PLN. Only 12% of respondents intend to stay within the 300 PLN limit provided by the government’s ‘Dobry Start’ program.

Shopping habits show a hybrid approach: parents frequently purchase notebooks and small stationery items in physical stores, while backpacks and textbooks are more commonly ordered online. The scope of school shopping has expanded beyond basic stationery to include electronics like tablets and smartphones, as well as sports equipment.

While 50% of parents expect higher expenses than last year, this is a decrease compared to previous years. Stress remains a factor for half of the parents, primarily driven by costs, long school supply lists, and the difficulty of finding specific products. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing quality and durability to ensure products last multiple seasons, often using price comparison tools to manage their budgets.