Consumer expert Charlotte Moitessier has outlined key strategies for French households looking to cut back-to-school spending following summer holidays.
Speaking as a guest on French television show Bonjour ! Avec vous, Moitessier noted that French families spend an average of 488 euros per household during the return-to-school period. She warned that store promotions and new autumn collections create strong spending temptations during a period when families naturally seek a sense of renewal.
To keep household budgets under control, Moitessier advised consumers against renewing their clothing wardrobes immediately at the start of the school year, when prices for newly arrived seasonal clothing lines remain at their peak.
Upcoming promotional events
Instead, the consumer specialist recommended patience, explaining that a major wave of retail discounts will begin on September 22 and continue through to Black Friday on November 27.
The autumn promotional calendar begins with the French Days, a commercial event launched by major domestic retailers to compete directly with Black Friday. Moitessier explained that the French Days deliver a wave of discounts comparable to Black Friday across fashion, home goods, and household appliances.
Black Friday itself has become a key fixture in European retail since its introduction from North America, marking the traditional start of holiday shopping. However, shoppers looking for sports equipment do not need to wait until the autumn sales kick off. Moitessier highlighted that discounts on sports gear are already available during the back-to-school period.
Price comparison and school supplies
To maximize household savings, Moitessier urged shoppers to systematically compare prices online using internet search engines. She suggested entering the specific item, such as sneakers, along with the brand name to identify the lowest price across competing merchants.
Specialized price comparison platforms including Idealo, Google Shopping, and Le Dénicheur can help consumers locate deals up to 30 percent cheaper than standard retail prices. These aggregator websites track real-time pricing across thousands of e-commerce vendors.
For parents buying school supplies in the final days before classes resume, comparing prices across different supermarket chains can reveal major cost variations. Moitessier acknowledged that searching online and tracking supermarket prices side by side requires extra time and organization, but noted that even everyday items like simple binders can feature substantial price discrepancies between stores.
While school-aged children frequently request branded products to feel included among their classmates, Moitessier pointed out that branded items represent a significantly higher expense. She recommended negotiating with children and reallocating savings achieved on other supplies to purchase one or two requested branded items.
Second-hand market and recycling
Moitessier also urged families to curb unnecessary expenditure by reusing items they already own. She recommended conducting a thorough inventory of existing household items to establish a clear list of what is genuinely missing before entering stores.
Second-hand platforms offer attractive financial savings, though the expert cautioned buyers against seeking ultra-fashionable models or high-demand brands, which remain expensive even when purchased used. High-quality second-hand goods are readily available, provided buyers verify product criteria carefully and contact sellers for clarification prior to purchase.
French online platforms have seen growing adoption for educational purchases. Classifieds website Leboncoin, one of France's most popular peer-to-peer marketplaces, reports that 30 percent of its users utilize the platform to source school supplies. Second-hand clothing marketplace Vinted allows families to find non-apparel goods, while French refurbished electronics retailer Back Market offers discounted scientific calculators alongside refurbished digital hardware.
For shoppers who prefer physical retail locations, Moitessier suggested visiting local recycling centers or thrift stores operated by Emmaüs, the historic French charity organization that collects and resells donated household goods. She concluded that reusing, borrowing, and accepting donated items provides a double benefit for household finances and the environment.
