Winnipeggers facing rising costs during back-to-school shopping

Winnipeg bargain stores are seeing parents hunting for deals on school supplies for their children this academic season.

Back-to-school shopping generates more than $4.5 billion annually, and households can spend from $600 to $750 per child, according to a Retail Council of Canada report in 2026. With inflation rising to three per cent in July, parents say there’s no way around it.

“I’m so tired of hearing about the rising costs, I mean, it sucks, but we all have to deal with it,” said parent Graham Voth in an interview at Value Village.

An organization that makes affordable back-to-school backpack kits for kids in northern communities saw an increase in interest.

Danica Lazatin, sales and marketing co-ordinator at Tru-North Supply, said they’ve filled 400 backpacks this season.