Nearly half of Russians have already bought all their school supplies ahead of the academic year, according to a survey by Rabota.ru and YUMoney.
The joint study found that 48 percent of respondents completed their back to school shopping before September. The findings were published by the news outlet RT following a poll of more than 3,200 participants across Russia.
Another 22 percent of respondents said they plan to purchase their remaining supplies during the final days of August. A further 20 percent reported that they have bought some items and plan to buy the rest, while 10 percent stated they do not intend to make school purchases at all.
In Russia, the academic year traditionally begins on September 1, a date known as Knowledge Day. Primary and secondary students return to classrooms after the summer break, driving nationwide demand for clothing, learning tools, and personal supplies.
Popular school supplies and spending trends
Stationery emerged as the most requested item, with 81 percent of surveyed Russians buying pens, notebooks, and writing materials. Footwear followed at 72 percent, while 62 percent of respondents bought school uniforms.
Sports uniforms and backpacks were each selected by 48 percent of participants, while 36 percent bought books. Additionally, 22 percent purchased gifts for teachers, 16 percent bought electronic gadgets, and 9 percent chose lunch boxes.
Sales data from August 1 to August 20 showed that children's clothing was the primary driver of retail growth. The number of transactions in the category doubled compared to earlier periods, while store turnover grew by 2.5 times. The average transaction value for children's clothing rose by 33 percent to reach 12,069 rubles.
Shoe purchases also experienced significant expansion during the same period. The number of footwear transactions increased by 45 percent and total turnover grew by 30 percent, even as the average purchase amount fell by 10 percent to 9,010 rubles.
Rabota.ru is a Russian online employment platform, while YUMoney operates as an electronic payment service and financial technology provider in Russia.
Smartphone safety recommendations for students
The surge in pre-school spending coincides with broader preparations for the new academic year. An expert previously told the news site Lenta.ru how parents can properly configure a child's smartphone before classes start.
The expert recommended installing the Zastupnik application on students' devices. The safety software enables children to send an emergency rescue signal if they encounter danger on their way to or from school.
