Merchants project dynamism in school supply sales ahead of the start of the school year
As the start of the 2026-2027 school year approaches in the Dominican Republic, the commercial sector maintains high expectations regarding the sale of school supplies. It is projected that economic activity will intensify over this weekend, driven by the coincidence with the payday for the fortnight this Saturday, August 15th.
The public school system’s academic calendar sets the return to classrooms for next Monday, August 24, summoning more than two million students nationwide. Given this scenario, parents and guardians are preparing to acquire the necessary supplies for the teaching-learning process.
Commercial sector expectations
So far, managers of various commercial establishments have described the flow of customers as average. However, there is optimism among vendors, who are pinning their hopes on the days leading up to the return to school to reach their established sales goals.
- Backpacks and notebooks.
- School uniforms.
- Footwear and accessories.
The perspective of the families
Financial planning is a determining factor for Dominican families. Many parents have chosen to postpone the purchase of school supplies until they receive their monthly income, thus ensuring the necessary budget to cover the complete school list.
I was waiting to get paid. You know that those who work always have to wait to get paid to buy school supplies.
Carolina, mother.
Regarding current costs, some consumers point out that, although prices remain within the usual ranges, a slight increase has been perceived in specific items such as backpacks. On average, some families report investments close to RD$8,000 per student to ensure the necessary equipment before the school bell rings.
Customer flow is expected to increase considerably in the coming days, as educational centers finalize details to welcome the student community across the country.
