According to a survey by VCIOM (Russian Public Opinion Research Center), the average cost of preparing a child for the upcoming school year has risen to 52,000 rubles. This marks a significant increase from last year`s 44,000 rubles. The majority of these expenses are attributed to clothing and backpacks. This article explores parents` perspectives on these school-related costs and how manufacturers of school uniforms and bags explain the price hikes.
The latest VCIOM survey highlights that equipping a student for the 2024 academic year now averages 52,000 rubles, a notable increase from 44,000 rubles in the previous year. Parents report that roughly 40,000 rubles of this sum are spent on essential items like clothing and backpacks. While manufacturers acknowledge that currency fluctuations and the rising cost of imported materials play a role in price increases, some claim their own prices have only gone up by a modest 5-10%.
In Moscow, 52,000 rubles represents two and a half times the child`s subsistence minimum. Parents of schoolchildren interviewed by Business FM confirm that this figure reflects the reality of their expenditures. Valentina, a mother of a first-grader in a Moscow school, shared her experience with the costs:
“On average, clothing cost around 30,000 rubles, covering multiple pairs of trousers, several tops, warm outerwear, and shoes. The backpack and stationery added another 10,000 rubles. And that’s not even everything; we still need to factor in school sports uniforms and other essential supplies. We anticipated a substantial expense and saved up in advance. As this is my first child entering first grade, my priority wasn’t to economize but rather to provide the best. I believe savings are possible if purchases are made earlier. I bought items in the second half of August, during the peak rush. Buying in advance would result in lower prices; for example, a pair of trousers that cost 3,000 rubles in August was only 2,000 rubles in July.”
The average 30,000-ruble expenditure on school attire is corroborated by other parents surveyed by VCIOM, representing a 4,500-ruble increase from the previous year. Ivan Milovanov, head of `Irmi,` a children`s and teenage clothing manufacturer, attributes this market-wide price surge primarily to currency fluctuations.
Ivan Milovanov, Head of `Irmi` company (children`s and teenage clothing manufacturer):
“Primarily, it`s all linked to currency rate fluctuations. We began producing school uniforms late last year to meet the season`s demand, and you`ll recall the dollar`s rate at that time. Unfortunately, all our fittings and fabrics are imported and priced in dollars. We simply cannot purchase at 120 dollars and sell at 70.”
When asked if this applies to almost all components, he added: “I`d say 90 percent for sure. However, for our company specifically, we barely adjusted last year`s prices, perhaps by only 5-7 percent, even though the dollar truly surged by about 40 percent.”
Backpacks and satchels have seen the most significant price increase, now averaging 7,000 rubles — a 50% jump from last year, according to VCIOM. However, Arkady Bagiryan, head of `Jusso Bag Laboratory` in Omsk, expressed surprise at these figures.
Arkady Bagiryan, Head of `Jusso Bag Laboratory`:
“I believe that information is incorrect. Prices haven`t doubled. Our prices remained largely stable, perhaps with a 10% difference.”
When confronted with reports from school uniform manufacturers citing currency exchange rates as a major factor, Bagiryan responded: “That’s distorted information again. The dollar didn’t fall back then; it was near 100, now it`s around 80. While logistics costs did rise, I haven`t observed such a drastic change in overall prices. In fact, I`m seeing lower procurement prices. Raw materials in China have become cheaper, linked to the currency`s depreciation.”
It`s important to clarify that Business FM interviewed manufacturers who stated they made only modest price adjustments. However, they acknowledge that prices likely escalate considerably by the time products reach the consumer.
Beyond clothing, stationery, and textbooks, parents also budget for various other expenses. Subscribers to the BFMnews Telegram channel reported additional costs such as flowers for teachers, gift certificates for class advisors, funds for water coolers, locker repairs, and classroom cleaning. These miscellaneous annual contributions collectively add up to tens of thousands of rubles.
