We checked school supply prices: where will you pay hundreds of shekels less?

The summer vacation is far from over, but for many parents, the race for the school year has already begun. Instead of waiting for the last days of August, when stores are crowded and shelves start to empty, more and more families are choosing to do their back-to-school shopping early. The goal is twofold: to avoid the last-minute pressure and to spread the expense over several weeks, during a period that already includes quite a few costs for summer camps, entertainment, and vacations.

This year, another trend is emerging: it is not only office supply chains and discount stores competing for the parents' shopping basket. Food chains are also significantly expanding their activity in the back-to-school field and offering a wide variety of products. For example, at the Rami Levy chain, one can find, alongside notebooks, pens, and glue, also backpacks, pencil cases, lunch boxes, water bottles, and other accessories. The goal is clear: to allow parents to complete all their back-to-school shopping in one place, while competing directly against the veteran chains in the field.

However, even those who shop early will not necessarily pay less. A check of back-to-school equipment prices reveals that the gaps between the chains are still significant, and sometimes reach tens and even hundreds of shekels. This means that there is not necessarily one chain where it is profitable to purchase the entire list.

A gap of hundreds of shekels

One of the most expensive items on the shopping list is the school backpack, especially when it comes to backpacks for first grade or branded backpacks. Here, the gaps are particularly prominent. A price check shows that a first-grade backpack is sold starting from 149 shekels at Kravitz, compared to 199 shekels at Rami Levy and Dan Deal, and 219 shekels at Super-Pharm Online.

Gaps were also found in branded backpacks. Adidas backpacks, for example, are sold starting from 59.90 shekels at Max Stock and the Stock chain, and reach about 700 shekels at Office Depot and Kravitz. In some cases, the price also includes a matching pencil case.

Small items inflate the bill

It is not only the backpack that affects the amount of the expense. Small items, each of which costs a few shekels, quickly add up to a significant amount. For example, a Casio calculator is sold for 19.90 shekels at Rami Levy, while at Kravitz its price is almost double, about 39.90 shekels. A pack of four highlighters costs 9.90 shekels at Rami Levy, Kravitz, and the Stock chain, but 12.90 shekels at Dan Deal and 13.90 shekels at Super-Pharm Online. Particularly unusual gaps were also found in scissors: from only 40 agorot at Kravitz, one shekel at Dan Deal, and up to 8 shekels at Super-Pharm Online.

It is not necessary to buy everything new

According to consumer experts, one of the simplest ways to save is to start shopping at home. Before going out to purchase new equipment, it is recommended to check what is left from last year that we did not use. Notebooks, a pencil case, a calculator, a ruler, paints, or writing tools in good condition can save dozens of shekels.

In addition, the price check shows that it is not profitable to make the entire purchase automatically at one chain. One chain may offer the most profitable price for backpacks, while another will be cheaper for writing tools, notebooks, or supplementary equipment. Comparing prices and splitting the purchase between several chains can save a family hundreds of shekels.

Shopping early provides another advantage: it allows you to track promotions, compare prices at leisure, and avoid the stress that characterizes the end of August, a period when demand rises, some products run out quickly, and the bill at the checkout often inflates.