Prices for school supplies are fluctuating within a very wide range and remain at roughly the same levels as last year. This was found in a survey conducted to track prices the Cyprus Consumers’ Association (CCA), which was conducted both online and in person at 10 businesses with stores in all cities across Cyprus.
It was also found that some businesses offer their products at a lower price if the purchase is made online rather than in person at the store.
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More specifically, according to data compiled by the CSC:
The cost of a school backpack starts at €1.89 and can go as high as €209.95, depending on the size, design, and brand.
The cost of a pencil case ranges from €0.48 to €45.55, while pencils, pens, and markers start at €0.20 and go up to €18.99.
50- and 100-sheet notebooks, as well as two-subject spiral-bound notebooks, can cost from €0.32 to €12.99, while a file folder can cost anywhere from €0.19 to €8.48.
As for school clothing, prices for school T-shirts and shirts, including sales, range from €3.99 to €48; for school pants, from €12 to €27; and for school skirts, from €11.50 to €25.
It goes without saying that the total cost of the purchase depends on the choices and needs of each student.
Note: All survey data were collected from the exact same retail outlets used in the corresponding Cyprus Consumer Association (CCA) survey for the year 2025.
Advice from the Cyprus Consumers’ Association for parents and children when purchasing school supplies:
- Compile and create a list of the items that are essential for the start of the new school year. Parents are encouraged to help their children understand that there is a big difference between what they actually need for school and what they think they need.
- Conduct market research to compare prices and check the quality of the items to be purchased.
- Check whether the product is age-appropriate for the child.
- For health and safety reasons, it is essential to prevent children from purchasing school supplies that resemble food or have a food-like scent.
- The choice of backpack should be based on the student’s physical strength, weight, and the backpack’s construction.
- If the purchase is made in person at a store, be sure to inquire about the store’s return policy before making the purchase. Keep in mind that for in-store purchases, there is no legal obligation, and it is up to each store’s policy to decide whether to accept returns or exchanges.
- School supplies are tools for learning, not for showing off.
In the event that violations are identified regarding the health and safety of students, discrepancies between the prices listed on the shelf and the prices paid by the consumer, as well as misleading offers and failure to display the retail price, consumers may contact the Cyprus Consumers’ Association at [email protected] or call the Consumer Hotline at 1429.
