From August 15 to 18, 2025, we surveyed Canadians on school supplies and back-to-school questions.
Highlights include…
Financial Impact and Stress of Back-to-School
- A majority of parents are noticing higher costs for school supplies. Six in ten (60%) say expenses have risen compared to last year, and one in five (21%) describe them as much higher. Families with children in public schools are the most likely to report increases, with 64% indicating higher costs. Regionally, Ontario parents are the most affected, with 69% reporting higher costs.
- Back-to-school spending is creating financial strain for many families. Nearly two-thirds (63%) say these expenses have a significant impact on their household budget. Younger parents are the most affected, with 74% of those aged 18 to 34 reporting a major impact.
- Beyond financial concerns, many parents also feel emotionally taxed by the back-to-school season. Overall, 58% find the process stressful, with 18% describing it as very stressful and 39% as somewhat stressful.
Preferences Regarding School Supplies
- Most parents (58%) prefer to buy all school supplies at the beginning of the school year, while 39% spread purchases out as needed throughout the year. This “all at once” approach is especially common in Quebec, where 80% of parents say they buy everything up front.
- When it comes to where parents shop, big-box retailers such as Walmart and Canadian Tire are by far the most popular choice (61%). Dollar stores (38%) and online retailers (38%) are also widely used, while about one-third of parents (34%) say they plan to reuse supplies from older children or past school years. The main factor influencing store choice is cost, with three in four parents (75%) prioritizing price. Product quality comes second (54%), while convenience also matters, as 28% value being able to find everything in one place.
Methodology
The results for this wave of research are based on online research conducted from August 15 to August 18, 2025 with a representative sample of 1,512 Canadian adults 18 years of age and older from Leger’s LEO panel.
Results were weighted according to age, gender, mother tongue, region, education and presence of children in the household in order to ensure a representative sample of the Canadian population.
A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey, but for comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size yields a margin of error no greater than ±2.83%, (19 times out of 20) for the sample.
