As the last week of the summer holidays rolls in, many parents are looking forward to sending their children back to the classroom. But research shows back to school spending is spiralling, with 61% of parents expressing concern as to how they will cover the cost.

Marketing consultancy Gekko reported that the average cost of a child going back to school, covering uniform, stationery, and technology has reached an average of £452.40 per student, the equivalent of £2.3 billion. Broken down across age ranges, parents of primary students can expect to pay around £490.80 per child, dropping to £422.90 in secondary school and £390.20 if the student continues on to college or sixth form.

The increased demand for technology is a major factor in driving up the costs, 76% of schools now expect children to have access to a laptop or tablet. Parents complained that the lack of clarity over what technological specifications their child will need (only 12% suggest specific products and 46% give no guidance on what the devices need to be capable of), causes additional stress and in some cases unnecessary cost. 21% report concern about the impact of making the wrong choices on their child, causing them to buy high-end models.

CEO at Gekko, Daniel Todaro pointed out the opportunities for retailers to develop brand loyalty by offering specialist knowledge and ensuring that in-store teams have the knowledge necessary to make the process ‘painless’. The last week of the holidays traditionally sees a last minute dash to the shops.

The main concern from the Gekko report is that it shows that 30% of parents are taking on credit card debt in order to meet these costs. Figures from Loughborough University, show that the financial demands only increase over the school year. Transport costs, money for lunch, and school excursions cost parents on average £1755.97 per year. Although there have been signs of stability in recent months, Prime Minister Keir Stamer is expected to make a speech this week saying that the cost-of-living crisis is not yet over and the economy ‘may get worse before it gets better.’ While Chancellor Rachel Reeves has promised her Autumn budget won’t increase taxes for working people, charities and action groups are calling for greater support for vulnerable families.

(Sources: a1retailmagazine.com)