The beginning of a new school year comes, almost every time, with a long shopping list: clothes for school days, shoes, a schoolbag, pencil case, notebooks, writing instruments, art supplies and all kinds of accessories that children consider essential. For parents, however, all these purchases can mean a significant expense, especially when there are two or more school-age children in the family. The good news is that, in Bucharest, getting ready for school can also be done on a reasonable budget. Clothes do not necessarily have to be bought from the best-known brand stores, nor does a schoolbag have to cost several hundred lei. Discount stores, hypermarkets, outlets, second-hand shops and neighborhood stationery stores offer alternatives for almost every category of products. In addition, the “Back to School” campaigns during this period can bring significant discounts. One example is Auchan's Back to School 2026 campaign, which includes more than 2,000 products intended for students, from school supplies and schoolbags to pencil cases and backpacks. The offer is available until September 15, 2026, including at ATAC stores, while some products benefit from special prices for members of the MyCLUB loyalty program.

Pepco, one of the good options for inexpensive clothes and school supplies

For parents who want to take care of a significant part of their shopping in one place, Pepco stores remain one of the most affordable options. The company currently has an offer dedicated to returning to school, which includes both children's clothing and schoolbags, pencil cases, notebooks and other accessories.

The prices displayed in the 2026 Back to School campaign show that basic clothing can be purchased for relatively small amounts. For example, girls' blouses are available for 22-30 lei, T-shirts for 11 lei, leggings for 17 lei, cardigans for 30 lei and certain clothing sets for 45 lei.

School supplies are also available for a limited budget. Starting August 20, Pepco is promoting a special offer for returning to school, and the selection includes notebooks, writing instruments and various accessories. An A4 notebook with 60 sheets, for example, is listed at 6 lei.

An important advantage is that these stores are spread throughout numerous areas of Bucharest, so parents can avoid a long trip to a shopping center. For basic purchases, this strategy can be more efficient than visiting a mall where children may be tempted by more expensive products.

Auchan and Carrefour, practical solutions for one-stop shopping

Hypermarkets are another very good option for families who want to purchase many products during a single shopping trip. Their advantage is that they offer school supplies, schoolbags, clothes, shoes, household products and other items needed by children at the same time, allowing parents to compare prices more easily and take advantage of promotions during the same period.

In the case of Auchan, the offer for the 2026 school year is particularly varied. The company announces writing and drawing instruments starting at 0.49 lei, notebooks starting at 0.19 lei in ATAC stores, schoolbags from 22.99 lei with the MyCLUB card, and pencil cases from 3.99 lei.

In the schoolbag category, Auchan's online offer includes hundreds of products, from simple and inexpensive models to more elaborate versions. A simple schoolbag is listed at 22.99 lei, while other models for primary school start at approximately 50-80 lei, depending on the model and promotion.

Carrefour also has a substantial offer for the beginning of the school year. In addition to schoolbags and backpacks, its selection includes pencil cases, notebooks for different subjects and other stationery items. The company also allows online orders with pickup through its Click & Collect service, which can be useful for parents who want to compare products before going to the store.

In Bucharest, Carrefour on Splaiul Independenței is one of the options where such a comprehensive shopping trip can be made, while another Carrefour hypermarket is located on Mihail Sebastian Street. It is important for parents to check the offers and prices applicable to the chosen store beforehand, as promotions and stock levels may vary.

Outlet stores can significantly reduce the cost of clothes

Clothes are one of the categories where it is easiest to save money if parents do not necessarily insist that all items be purchased from a brand's current collection. Outlets can be interesting precisely because they make it possible to find items from previous collections at lower prices.

There are several such stores in Bucharest. Depot 96 Outlet & Showroom, on Verzișori Street, is an option for those looking for outlet clothing. Another possibility is Perfect Outlet, located on Șoseaua Ștefan cel Mare, where customers can look for clothes at more affordable prices than in stores selling current-season collections.

ILike Outlet, on Academiei Street, can also be included on the list of stores worth checking before school starts. For children, the advantage of outlets is even greater because they frequently change sizes, and buying very expensive clothes may not always be justified.

The best strategy is to look first for the items that wear out quickly: trousers, blouses, T-shirts, hoodies and tracksuits. For pieces that need to last longer, such as a jacket or a pair of shoes, however, it is worth carefully checking the quality of the material and stitching, not just the price on the label.

Second-hand stores can be an excellent solution for everyday clothes

For families strictly focused on reducing their budget, second-hand stores can be among the most efficient places to shop. Children grow quickly, and some clothes remain almost new after several months of use. For this reason, second-hand shopping can make it possible to buy several items for the amount that would otherwise have been spent on a single new product.

There are numerous stores of this kind in Bucharest. Among them are Humana Second Hand Titulescu, on Șoseaua Nicolae Titulescu, West Second Hand, on Șoseaua Mihai Bravu, and BVR - Magazin Second Hand, on Constantin Titel Petrescu Street.

For those interested in vintage clothes or items outside the usual selection of mainstream stores, there are also shops such as Clothing ReSale Shop, in the Intrarea Anasonului area, or Op Shop Vintage & Thrift Store | Mosilor, on Calea Moșilor.

When shopping second-hand, it is important to carefully check the condition of the product: zippers, buttons, hems, stitching and possible stains. For children's clothes, the material should also be checked to avoid excessively worn items. With a little patience, however, suitable school clothes can be found at much lower prices.

Where to buy school supplies without buying unnecessary things

One of the most effective ways to save money on school supplies is not to buy everything from the first store you visit. Before going shopping, it is useful to check the drawers, cupboards and the child's desk. Colored pencils, markers, rulers, pencil cases, watercolors or folders left in good condition can be reused.

For school supplies, specialized stationery stores can be a good alternative to shops in shopping malls. In Bucharest, for example, there are Click Birotica, on Viitorului Street, and Papet.ro, on Calea Călărașilor. Such stores can be especially useful when the school's list contains specific products.

Before making a purchase, parents should separate the products that are truly necessary from those bought merely for their appearance. A simple notebook can serve the same purpose as one featuring characters or an elaborate cover, while a set of pens can be more economical than purchasing each one individually.

It is also not necessary to buy all the school supplies before the first day of school. Some materials can be purchased after the teacher communicates the exact requirements for the class. This way, parents avoid buying products that will not actually be used.

How to choose a good schoolbag without paying hundreds of lei

The schoolbag is one of the products for which price should not be the only criterion. An inexpensive model can be a very good choice if it is sufficiently durable, has suitable compartments and can be carried comfortably. On the other hand, a very expensive schoolbag does not automatically guarantee that it will be more suitable for the child.

The current offer shows that there are options for different budgets. At Auchan, for example, a simple model is listed at 22.99 lei, while other schoolbags for primary school cost 49.99, 82.99 or 109.99 lei, depending on the model and its features.

For younger children, attention should be paid to the weight of the schoolbag, the shoulder straps and the way it sits on the child's back. For older students, the organization of the compartments and the durability of the material may become more important, especially if the schoolbag has to carry several notebooks and textbooks every day.

Another money-saving trick is not to automatically choose a model featuring the child's favorite character. Licensed designs and highly popular characters can increase the price, while a simple schoolbag can cost considerably less and be used for a longer period.

The best strategy is to combine different stores

To keep the budget under control, the most effective method is not necessarily to buy everything in the same place. We can purchase basic clothes from discount stores or outlets, certain items from second-hand shops, school supplies from a stationery store, and the schoolbag from a hypermarket, depending on the offers available.

During this period, back-to-school promotions are numerous, and prices should be compared before making purchases. For example, Auchan is promoting school products in 2026 starting at just a few cents for certain school supplies, while Pepco has a dedicated campaign featuring thousands of school products and special offers.

The most important thing is to go shopping with a clear list and a set budget. Clothes that are still in good condition from the previous year should be checked before buying new ones, while existing school supplies should be inventoried. For products that really need to be purchased, it is worth following promotions and comparing prices between stores. In Bucharest, getting ready for school does not automatically have to mean spending hundreds or even thousands of lei for each child. 

With a little planning, clothes can be found at discount or second-hand stores, school supplies can be purchased cheaply from specialized stores or hypermarkets, and a schoolbag can be chosen from a range that also includes options under 50 lei. The secret is to buy what is necessary, rather than what looks the most spectacular on the shelf, and to take advantage of the offers available before the school year begins.

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