Back to school: Shop smart, spend less

MUSCAT: As the new academic year approaches, families across Oman are preparing for one of the season’s most familiar rituals: back-to-school shopping.
School bags, notebooks, pens, art materials, lunch boxes and other essentials can quickly turn a simple trip into a sizeable expense. With colourful displays, popular characters and seasonal promotions competing for attention, the challenge is no longer just finding supplies — it is knowing what children actually need and how to spend wisely.
For many families, this season can also be an opportunity to teach children about responsible consumption, budgeting and making informed choices.
The first step is planning. Parents should review the school’s requirements and make a clear list of essentials. A quick check of last year’s supplies may also reveal notebooks, folders, rulers or calculators that are still in good condition. This simple inventory can prevent duplicate purchases and cut unnecessary spending.
The Consumer Protection Authority has encouraged families to plan ahead and choose quality products at reasonable prices. Its “Back to School 2026” campaign, running from August 20 to September 6, focuses on responsible shopping and informed decisions. The Authority noted that “responsible shopping begins with consumer awareness,” urging shoppers to compare products, check offers, and avoid buying what is not needed.
For children, appearance often matters. A bag with a favourite character or a bright notebook can be very appealing. But parents should look beyond design. When choosing a school bag, comfort, size, durability and weight matter as much as looks. The same applies to stationery that will be used daily.
The Ministry of Education has also highlighted the need to reduce the physical burden of school bags, especially for younger students. Its initiatives aim to regulate the number of books carried each day. As one education specialist put it, “the ideal school bag is not the largest or most attractive, but the one that fits the child’s age, size and daily needs.” Promotions can be tempting. “Buy more, save more” deals may look like savings, but a discount is only valuable if the item is needed. Before buying, parents can ask: “Would we buy this if it were not on sale?” If the answer is no, the offer may be encouraging an unnecessary purchase. The Authority has also urged vigilance against unjustified price increases during peak demand.
Back-to-school shopping can double as a financial lesson. Set a budget for essentials, then let children choose within it — the colour of a notebook, the design of a pencil case, or the style of a water bottle. This gives them ownership while teaching that choices have financial consequences. The message is simple: it’s fine to have preferences, but not every preference needs to become a purchase.
Safety remains key, particularly for younger children. Check for age-appropriate designs, durable materials and safe components in stationery and accessories.
Sustainability is another way to shop smarter. Reuse items that are still good, choose durable products, and avoid excess packaging. This reduces waste and helps control costs.
A clear budget makes the season less stressful. Divide spending into categories: stationery, bags, clothing, footwear, lunch boxes. Compare prices across stores, and consider spreading purchases over a few weeks instead of one large trip.
Most importantly, expensive does not always mean better. A child does not need the newest brand to start the year successfully.
Back-to-school shopping may seem routine, but it teaches skills that go beyond the classroom: planning, comparing, distinguishing needs from wants, and caring for belongings. As the school year begins, the smartest shopping basket may not be the fullest one. It is the one that holds what is needed, what will be used, and what offers real value. Preparing for school is not only about filling a bag. It is about helping children learn to make smart choices.