US-Iran war pushes up prices of stationery as schools reopen; bags, bottles cost more

Chennai: The ongoing Israel-Iran-US conflict has had a ripple effect on parents' wallets this year, with prices of stationery items and bags rising by ₹5 to ₹300.

The primary reason, according to retailers, is a spike in raw materials used to make plastic rulers, pencil cases, geometry boxes, pens, folders, book covers, bottles, and bag components. Traders said plastic, which was sold at ₹100 per kg before for six months, is now hovering between ₹150 and ₹170 per kg, driven by supply chain volatility linked to the conflict.

“These numbers reflect in finished products, marking a 10% to 20% increase in cost. Increase in fuel prices have further increased logistics and transportation cost,” said Broadway Merchants Association president Anees Raja. “Bags, stationery items, and uniforms are largely sourced from Gujarat, Rajkot, and sometimes China. Pencil boxes—among the most commonly bought items—have seen a price jump ranging from ₹10 to ₹100, depending on the type, he said. “Those with calculators and separate compartments for sharpeners and erasers cost the most,” he said.

Several bag brands that were priced under ₹1,000 in 2024 now cost at least ₹1,200. “Most of these bags are made of polyester fabric, which partly contains PVC (thermoplastic) components. Even children’s bags sold in bulk have seen a jump of at least ₹200,” said Firoz, a retailer on Malaiyaperumal Street in Broadway, a wholesale hub for school supplies.

While some shops offered discounts of 10% to 20%, parents said they still had to set aside at least ₹5,000 for school shopping. “I used to spend ₹3,500 on school supplies and then take my family out for a snack or dinner. This time budget is tight. We spent close to ₹5,000 on school supplies. Retailers say the products are of high quality, but they don’t even last a year,” said V Shanmuganathan, a resident of Mylapore.

Some retailers, however, attributed the price rise partly to improved quality and wider variety. “Compact lunch bags featuring anime, cartoon, and other child-friendly designs have entered the market and are selling well. They are made of superior nylon fabric, which naturally comes at a higher price,” said a retailer from T Nagar.

Notebook prices, meanwhile, have remained largely stable, with only a marginal increase from last year — ranging from ₹35 to ₹130.

(gfx mailed).