On August 18, 2025, the Families de France association published its annual barometer on the cost of school supplies for middle school students. Result: the average basket of a student entering the sixth century is € 211.10, compared to € 223.46 in 2024. This represents a decrease of 5.53 %, or € 12.36 saved on average. An inflection which has been an unprecedented event since the early 2010s, and which reflects deeply renewed market dynamics.
A widespread decrease through all distribution circuits
For the first time since the implementation of the barometer, all forms of distribution have a drop in the cost of school supplies. As Familles de France indicates, ” For the first time in several years, all of the physical distribution circuits have recorded a drop in prices(Words taken up by Le Figaro). This trend affects both hypermarkets and supermarkets, specialized stores or online sales.
Concretely, hypermarkets record the highest decrease with – 8.09 %. Next come specialized stores ( – 4.75 %), online business platforms ( – 3.82 %) and finally supermarkets ( – 2.98 %), according to Le Figaro. The differences are significant: the average basket amounts to € 192.42 in hypermarket, compared to € 243.03 in specialized stores. The drive is positioned as the most economical channel, with an average basket of only € 160.27, according to the observations of Dauphiné liberated.
Prices fold also affects all types of products. The stationery fell by 5.94 %, supplies excluding stationery of 3.57 %, and sports items of 8.59 %. Always according to The Dauphiné liberatedthe average basket is broken down as follows: around € 42.56 for stationery, € 108.02 for various supplies and € 60.51 for sports equipment.
A more peaceful situation, raw materials down
This trend reversal is partly explained by a more favorable economic environment. Families of France specifies that “This improvement is explained by a more stable economic context: inflation contained around 1 %, drop in energy and transport costs, relaxation on raw materials (paper, plastics)». Elements that allow brands to repercussions on load drops on selling prices.
In detail, Raw materials and paper have experienced a significant decline. « For the stationery category, there is a drop in the price of raw material which made it possible to return roughly at the cost of 2021“Explains Charly Hée, president of Familles de France in remarks made byThe Dauphiné liberated. A situation made possible by post-Cavid stabilization of global logistics circuits and the standardization of energy flows.
This decline in prices does not completely erase the increases recorded for five years. In 2018, the average basket was still 195 €, 16 € less than in 2025. But this decrease of 2025 marks an encouraging first signal for families, whose purchasing power remains constrained.
More strategic consumers and better informed
The observed dynamics are also explained by an evolution of purchasing behaviors. More and more parents are adopting a rationalized strategy: inventory of existing equipment, price comparison between brands, anticipation of promotions and arbitration on the quality of products.
These gestures contribute to better control of the budget. Added to this is a tendency to buy in rural areas, where prices are often lower. Family advice in France go in this direction: buy on your vacation spot, avoid impulsive purchases and favor distributor brands.
This return to a form of frugality is not undergone: it results from a collective awareness on the excesses of past revenues. In this context, The drop in prices for school supplies is not only a cyclical opportunity, but also the fruit of more informed consumption.