Estonia's back-to-school shopping basket cheapest in five years

Parents in Estonia can rejoice as the cost of essential school supplies for first-graders has reached a five-year low. A comparison by Swedbank's Financial Literacy Center reveals that a basket of the most basic supplies can be purchased for just over 13 euros this year, a significant decrease from previous years.

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Our price comparison shows the price at which school supplies can actually be bought at a specific moment.

The study, conducted for the fifth consecutive year, found Rimi to be the most budget-friendly option, with its cheapest basket costing 13.06 euros. Other major retailers followed, with Barbora at 15.79 euros, Prisma at 21.20 euros, Coop at 28 euros, and Selver presenting the highest cost at 39.10 euros. These prices were based on online store offerings, with Coop included due to its extensive physical network despite lacking an e-shop.

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If a store offers a significant discount through a customer card or promotion, it is wise to take advantage of it.

Prices are subject to change, and the comparison utilized customer card and promotional prices valid at the time of the August 12th survey. This means price differences can be substantial depending on current offers. For instance, last year's cheapest basket at Rimi cost 28.67 euros, more than double this year's price, largely due to a significant back-to-school sale.

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It is also worth checking whether it is cheaper to buy from an e-store or a physical store. Buying from an e-store helps avoid impulse purchases that tend to be tempting in a physical store.

Mari-Liis Jääger, head of Swedbank's Financial Literacy Center, emphasized that the comparison reflects actual purchase prices during sales. She advises parents to leverage discounts and consider whether online or physical stores offer better deals, noting that e-shopping can help avoid impulse buys. Jääger also highlighted that the cheapest items vary by product category, with different stores excelling in art supplies, drawing tools, or stationery. Her key takeaway for parents is to always compare prices and promotions annually and to involve children in the decision-making process for a more informed and responsible approach to back-to-school shopping.

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The most practical message for parents is simple: when buying school supplies, it is worth comparing prices and promotions again every year.