Parents return with kids after period of isolation.

 

Officeworks is seeing a lot more parents and children in its stores as the back-to-school season returns to “normal” after two years of Covid disruptions.

 

The situation is much different from last year when Officeworks rolled out a new range of hand sanitiser, anti-bacterial wipes and face masks for children to pack alongside their lunchboxes as parents prepared for a return to school during a pandemic.

 

In a recent interview with Fairfax Media, Officeworks managing director Sarah Hunter (pictured) said the prospect of a school year sans-COVID disruptions is driving families into stores to choose all-important items like pencil cases, lunchboxes and drink bottles together.

 

“We are seeing a lot of parents come into store and want to have that experience with their children,” Hunter said.

 

Hunter said book lists are featuring more technology requirements than in previous years as well as a lot more exclusive personalised items that are created in-store.

 

“Beyond standard exercise books, glue sticks and highlighters, students also need increasingly sophisticated headphones, laptops and tablets,” she said.

 

On a musical note, Officeworks has sold nearly 10,000 recorders during this financial year.

 

Meantime, Finder.com.au figures for 2023 put the price of a full set of school supplies, including stationery, textbooks and uniforms, at $571 for primary school students and $771 for secondary students annually.