Outfitting a child for the return to school can require an initial investment of between US$40 and US$60
The Daily Journal.- As the new school year approaches, Venezuelan families face one of the most significant back-to-school expenses: school uniforms. Between polo shirts, pants, and shoes, outfitting a student can take a considerable bite out of a family’s budget.
The Daily Journal visited four retail chains and shopping areas that parents and guardians frequent most during every back-to-school season: El Tijerazo, Tiendas Wax, Traki, and Mundo Total. We also visited the popular La Hoyada market to compare prices.
Stores offer school uniforms starting at US$4
We began our search at El Tijerazo, one of the favorite options for shoppers looking for variety and affordable prices. We found lab coats starting at US$12, ideal for high school and university students. Blue school pants, available in different sizes, start at US$19.
High school polo shirts start at US$5, while blue and beige button-down shirts start at US$6. White polo shirts, a staple of most school uniforms, also start at US$6. Athletic pants range from US$8 for basic models to US$12 for higher-quality options.
Skirts and shorts for girls start at US$12, while school sweaters, an essential item during cooler weather, cost US$18. Finally, school shoes, a key item on any back-to-school list, start at US$12.
From there, we headed to Tiendas Wax, with locations in Plaza Venezuela, La Hoyada and El Cementerio, where we found competitive prices. White and red polo shirts, among the most popular options for elementary school students, start at US$4, while high school polo shirts cost US$5. Shirts and athletic pants start at US$6, while blue pants start at US$8.
Our route then took us to Traki, another retail chain with a broad presence across the country. At this store, school polo shirts — in red, white, blue and beige — also start at US$4, matching Wax’s lowest prices. Blue pants start at US$9, while athletic-style school shoes, an increasingly popular choice among parents because of their comfort, also start at US$9.
Finally, we expanded our search to include Mundo Total, another option that has gained popularity among shoppers. At this store, high school polo shirts in all sizes cost US$8, while school shirts start at US$7 and pants start at US$10.50.
Some of these stores offer credit apps such as Cashea. Customers can also pay in bolivars at the official daily exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV).
No shopping survey would be complete without a visit to popular markets. At La Hoyada, one of Caracas’ busiest shopping areas, we found promotions worth considering. Vendors offer two school polo shirts or T-shirts for US$5, in colors such as red, yellow, and white, along with similar deals on school athletic pants.
How much does it cost to outfit a student?
To put these expenses into perspective and help families make informed decisions, we calculated costs across the different options, considering a “minimum daily outfit” consisting of pants and a polo shirt, as well as a basic weekly set.
At El Tijerazo, the least expensive option — US$19 pants plus a US$6 polo shirt — costs US$25 for one daily outfit. A basic weekly set consisting of two polo shirts, one pair of pants and US$8 athletic pants would cost around US$33.
At Tiendas Wax, US$8 pants plus a US$4 polo shirt bring one outfit to US$12. At Traki, the least expensive combination of US$9 pants and a US$4 polo shirt costs US$13.
At La Hoyada, shoppers who take advantage of the two-polo-shirts-for-US$5 promotion can considerably reduce the cost of a daily outfit if they purchase pants at another store or elsewhere in the market. Vendors also offer promotions that include a polo shirt in any color and size, a pair of school athletic pants, and a pair of white socks for US$11. However, after speaking with shoppers, we found that many vendors require customers to pay for these promotions in foreign currency and in cash.
A basic weekly set of two polo shirts or shirts, one pair of pants and one pair of athletic pants costs around US$30. Families must also add shoes, socks, undershirts and other items. Overall, outfitting a child for the return to school can require an initial investment of between US$40 and US$60, depending on the stores families choose and the quality of the clothing.
Strategies for smarter savings
Beyond comparing prices, family finance specialists recommend several strategies to prevent back-to-school expenses from becoming a financial burden. Some suggest setting aside a specific uniform budget that does not exceed 15% of monthly income. They also recommend creating a separate budget for each child and dividing expenses into categories — such as uniforms, school supplies and technology — to maintain better control over spending.
Before buying everything new, experts also recommend checking what children already have in their closets. Reusing clothing remains one of the most effective ways to save money.
Families should also carefully evaluate promotions, since the lowest price does not always offer the best value. Comparing prices at different stores remains essential, but shoppers should also check fabric and manufacturing quality. In addition, many retailers offer promotions that require payment in foreign currency and cash, while some apply unofficial exchange rates when customers pay in bolivars.
120 school fairs nationwide
On Friday, at the La Carlota Convention Center in Miranda state, acting President Delcy Rodríguez launched more than 120 school fairs nationwide, where families can purchase school supplies for the 2026-2027 academic year, which begins on Monday, September 14.
During a tour of the fair, Rodríguez said the events will offer discounts ranging from 30% to 35% on school supplies.
