With inland schools opening this week and coastal schools about to open, South African retail stores have attracted customers eagerly looking for school supplies.
News24 looked at the 'Back-2-School' specials and prices of school supplies at Checkers, Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Makro and Waltons. This catalogue was compiled using online and in-store prices.
The cheaper options for school supplies were Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite and Makro. Current 'Back-2-School' savings at Pick n Pay make it the cheapest option, while customers on Checkers and Shoprite's Xtra Savings reward programme can benefit from further discounts on school supplies.
Staedtler Traditional HB Pencils – 3 pack
Pick n Pay: R19.99 ('Back-2-School' savings)/R43.99 (regular price)
Checkers: R37.99/R16.99 (For Checkers rewards customers)
Shoprite: R37.99/R16.99 (For Shoprite rewards customers)
Makro: R20
Waltons: R26.50
A4 Hardcover 192 Pages
Pick n Pay: R19.99 ('Back-2-School' savings)/R21.99 (regular price)
Checkers: R21.99/R12.99 (discount for Checkers rewards customers)
Shoprite: R21.99/R12.99 (discount for Shoprite rewards customers)
Makro: R20
Waltons: R22.50
Pritt Glue Stick 43g
Pick n Pay: R41.99 ('Back-2-School' savings)/R59.99 (regular price)
Checkers: R49.99/R34.99 (discount for Checkers rewards customers)
Shoprite: R49.99/R34.99 (discount for Shoprite rewards customers)
Makro: R40
Waltons: R43.00
BIC Orange 2 pack of pens
Pick n Pay: R21 (regular price)
Checkers: R18.99/R15.99 (discount for Checkers rewards customers)
Shoprite: R18.99/R15.99 (discount for Shoprite rewards customers)
Makro: R12
Waltons: R16
Monami Retractable Wax Crayons 12 Pack
Pick n Pay: R44.99/R99.99 (regular price)
Checkers: R79.99/R44.99 (discount for Checkers rewards customers)
Shoprite: R79.99/R44.99 (discount for Shoprite rewards customers)
Makro: R60
Waltons: R58.50
Flip File Display Book A4 20 Packet
Pick n Pay: R21.99 (regular price)
Checkers: R26.99/R18.99 (discount for Checkers rewards customers)
Shoprite: R26.99/R18.99 (discount for Shoprite rewards customers)
Makro: R25
Waltons: R25.50
A4 White Paper 500 Sheets
Pick n Pay [Mondi]: R84.99 (regular price)
Checkers: R82.99/R69.99 [Typek](discount for Checkers rewards customers)
Shoprite: R82.99/R69.99 [Typek] (discount for Shoprite rewards customers)
Makro: R79.80 [Typek]
Waltons: R81.50 [Mondi]
Total baskets
Pick n Pay: R254.94
Checkers: R318.93/ R214.93 (discount for rewards customers)
Shoprite: R318.93/R214.93 (discount for rewards customers)
Makro: R256.80
Waltons: R273.50
Checkers and Shoprite rewards customers are able to benefit from the cheapest basket, which is R40 cheaper than Pick n Pay. However, South African consumers would also save money from the Pick n Pay 'Back-2-School' Savings prices which would see them pay R254.94 for their basket at the till point. The current ‘Back-2-School’ promotion at Pick n Pay is valid until 31 January.
Rise in school supply prices
Compared to 2018, the price of Staedtler HB Tradition Pencils pencils at South African retailers has risen by 21%, and the price of Pritt 43g has risen by 17%. The price of Typek A4 Paper has also increased by 32%.
R600 school fees, R750 transport, spent +/- R2500 on stationery and these are the uniform prices???????? then there's abo Valentine, pj party, trips etc... Yooooh nkare nka loma ngwana pic.twitter.com/fUUHf8vC96
— Mhayise Cebisa (@Zamaswazi227) January 10, 2023
The increase in the price of goods and services has been felt by South Africans who have battled both inflation and high costs of living in 2022. However, predictions of global recession and increasing interest rates mean that many consumers, including parents, will be looking to tighten their belts within the coming year.
*This story has been corrected to reflect the addition of a Typek A4 White Paper 500 Sheets from Makro, and to reflect the correct prices from Waltons - whose prices were different due to a technical error on their website.