A. M. 
The Defensoría del Consumidor (DC) announced a 3.22% reduction in the average cost of the basic basket of school supplies, according to its most recent price survey. This report, conducted in 116 establishments nationwide, compared the prices of 71 essential items with last year’s prices. The average savings for families is US$3.67, as the cost went from US$114.00 in 2024 to US$110.33 this year, marking an important relief in the family economy for the beginning of the school year.
It should be noted that the “Defensoría Escolar 2025” plan includes operations to inspect and verify prices, in addition to offering advice and attention to consumer complaints. With these actions, the CD seeks to protect families from unjustified increases and guarantee transparency in the school supplies market, promoting a more accessible return to school.
The school products reporting the greatest decreases are sewn notebooks with 2.07% (-US$0.12); spiral notebooks, 2.73% (-US$0.42); stapled notebooks, 1.68% (-US$0. 11); notebooks and notepads, 2.49% (-US$0.15) and miscellaneous with 3.95% (-US$3.67), such as pencils, correctors, box of crayons, pencil sharpeners, markers, small scissors and short colored pencils, among others.
During the back-to-school period, the Defensoría del Consumidor teams will make sure that bookstores and stores respect the Consumer Protection Law and publish clear prices. They will also monitor offers and promotions to ensure that they comply with regulations and are respectful of consumer rights in the physical and digital market.
This annual monitoring reinforces the commitment of the Defensoría del Consumidor with the family economy, offering key information for families to make informed and responsible decisions when purchasing school supplies.
The Defensoría del Consumidor will carry out a total of 17 days of information, counseling and complaint services in the eastern, western and central regions of the country in more than thirty fixed points of attention. To this end, the Ombudsman’s Office will hold at least three webinars for consumers and suppliers on the right to the guarantee of goods and services to promote better business practices in the sale of school supplies.
