Back-to-school costs are stable

THE cost of preparing children to return to school is broadly stable this year, despite some claims of prices soaring by up to 25%, new research has found.

A study of 5,800 hypermarkets by independent research group GFK shows prices have generally increased by a few centimes, in line with inflation.

It comes after one price comparison site last month suggested the rise would be in the region of 25%, but shops have responded by saying this is "extremely unlikely".

Carrefour and Auchan are both offering a price-match promise on some brand-name items, promising to refund up to double the difference if the item is found cheaper elsewhere.

The big rush will come when the allocation de rentrée scolaire, which is given to low-income families to help them pay for school supplies, is paid out around August 20. Its amount is up about 25% on previous years.

The rentrée is one of the most important times of the year for hypermarkets, after the Christmas and New Year holidays.