Most parents compare prices online before committing to a purchase, with a third claiming it helps them save on back-to-school shopping, according to a survey. 60% of mums and dads do their price comparison homework before doing the back-to-school shop, with a third saying it's one of the main ways they save cash.
Cost pressures reshape shopping habits
The survey by SHEIN found that parents are increasingly planning ahead, shopping across multiple channels and making deliberate choices about where and how they buy ahead of schools reopening in September. It comes as ONS stats found 79% of adults reported an increase in their cost of living in May 2026.
92% say back-to-school shopping is more expensive than it was two years ago. 82% said rising living costs have changed how they shop for back-to-school essentials.
Early planning and online savings
Of the parents quizzed, more than half begin shopping in early August to spread the cost of purchases. Parents said shopping online has helped reduce their back-to-school costs.
Shoes are the item most likely to need replacing according to 40% of parents, while backpacks are the item most likely to be reused.
Quality remains key
Corporate Affairs Director at SHEIN, Martin Reidy, said: "Preparing for the new school year has become a more carefully planned purchase for many families. Parents are telling us they're starting earlier, taking more time to research their options and using a mix of online and in-store shopping to find products that best meet their needs."
"What's striking is that, even as shopping habits evolve, quality remains every bit as important as the price."
