After learning that the school basket increased 250% compared to last year, now families are preparing for the next blow, which will mean buy the necessary clothes for the fall with strong increases, and wait for confirmation of what they already sense: the school fees They will increase 50% average in a first stage, and then there will be more adjustments.
The school basket increased twice as much as it had in 2023. In particular, the blow came from paper items, such as notebooks, spare parts, glazed paper and others.
This week the movement in Buenos Aires areas such as Avellaneda Avenue, in Flores, and Once, began to be noticed much more force. Talso in the most populated cities of the Buenos Aires suburbs. Even entire families who came from the interior to “summer” in Buenos Aires, take the opportunity to return to the cars loaded with supplies.
There are many families arriving at the Miserere station after a long train trip from towns in the western suburbs such as Ituzaingó, Haedo, Castelar, Merlo, Moreno or Morón. Everything is to get a better price on that large purchase that is made in February every year. Bus 86 is also an option for those coming from La Matanza to Once.
In large families, clothes are passed from little brother to little brother, and that is why the mother makes sure that the children take care of them. But some things will be unavoidable to buy, because the kids are “growing their growth spurt.” And that translates into more money to spend, in a year with pockets that are thinner than ever.
School basket: which were the categories that increased the most
The Iclothing it rose 17.2% in December, well below the overall cost of living, which was 25.5%. Furthermore, unlike what happened in 2022, the increases in the “clothing and footwear” category were lower than those in prices in general: 17.2% in December and 169.4% in relation to 2022.
Still, the numbers are scary: it means that for what was paid 10,000 pesos at the beginning of 2023, Now we have to face a cost of 27,000. All in the face of a purchasing power that remained very far from those percentages.
Clothes increased above that average in the Conurbano (174.7%) and Patagonia (173.6%). In the Northeast, the increase was in line with the national average: 169.7%. In the Pampas area, inflation of clothing and footwear was 167.1% according to INDEC, 157.7% in the Northwest and 148.2% in Cuyo.
The impact of the cold statistics is translated into the response given by the sellers of different bookstores. “Before, heavy purchasing started in February. Now we notice that people have already started thinking about school in Decemberit slowed down a bit in January, and in February they finish completing what is necessary, each one within what they can,” says a salesperson from the largest commercial bookstore in the still thriving Caballito Sur, a few meters from Acoyte and Rivadavia, the main commercial area of that typical class neighborhood. The middle class that still survives of course, the rest has already fallen.
A top brand notebook can cost up to $5,000. And so everything. “In four or five purchases I lost 30 thousand pesos, and this is just beginning,” says a mother in Once who came with her daughter from Ramos Mejía, in the heart of the La Matanza district.
Many appeal to wholesalers. But the problem is that almost all of them have a minimum purchase, which ranges between 50 thousand and 60 thousand pesos. “We have been saving for the big purchase for school. But the money is getting less and less,” says a father who is waiting in line at one of the busiest commercial bookstores in El Once.
School basket: how it became more expensive from 2023
A survey prepared by Focus Market He calculated a basic school basket: it includes a standard strap backpack, 20 essential supplies and a duster: the price, $62,000. The increase: 250% compared to February 2023.
Another group made up of a backpack with trolley, double-decker pencil case, dust jacket and 20 supplies is listed at $172,000. Compared to 2023, the increase is 230%. Last year, inflation was 211.4%, according to INDEC. The school basket rose more than inflation. Is it the fault of the role that became very expensive due to the 54% devaluation applied as soon as Javier Milei assumed the presidency?
According to FocusMarket, The backpacks are between $12,600 (basic 16 liters) and $158,200 (with a 28-liter cart), while the pencil cases start at $6,300 (single with closure) and can be worth up to $30,000 (two layers of PVC).
Schools also apply their strategies. Purchases began to be made from wholesalers. It is purchased for the entire grade or even for different years. In this case, parents, teachers and directors form an alliance. They all go through the same problem: there is not enough money.
Source: Ambito
