Back-to-school shopping not cheap for Sask. parents

Shopping malls and retail stores are starting to get a lot busier as parents get their kids ready to go back to school.

Parents are flocking to stores to get their kids new clothes and much-needed supplies so they can be ready when classes start Sept. 1.

John Desjarlais took both his kids to get their school supplies. While he was happy to be getting them new items, he said he has noticed everything is costing more.

“Pricing on certain things is going up,” he said. “I particularly don’t remember things being that expensive.”

Desjarlais mentioned the jump in prices he is seeing mostly has to do with the smaller items.

“Pens, paper (and) pencils seem to have gone up,” he added. “Some of the clothing like gym shoes have also gone up.”

Aldaine Balgrove says his back-to-school shopping bill will not be cheap this year, given his family just moved to Regina in December from Jamaica.

“We know we have to maybe buy clothes for the winter,” Balgrove explained. “I know it will cost us over $500 I’m sure.”

While the price of getting kids ready for school has increased, all of the kids CJME and CKOM spoke to said they’re excited to get back.

“I love playing,” said Jahdaine Balgrove. “The slides are my favourite part of the playground. I’m most excited to draw (as well).”

“I’m 10 turning 11 and going into sixth grade,” explained Chloe Desjarlais. “I’m a little scared, but really excited. My favourite thing (about school) is meeting my friends again.”