The back-to-school items most impacted by the ongoing trade war

School supplies in Winnipeg on Aug. 20, 2025. (Danton Unger/CTV News Winnipeg)

With back-to-school just around the corner, the ongoing trade war with the U.S. could mean higher prices for parents picking up school supplies.

April Bell and her three kids were out Wednesday getting an early start on their back-to-school shopping.

“I’m going to get it done early, so I’m not trying to rush for favourite backpacks or whatnot,” she said. “Get ahead of the rush, hopefully.”

This year, those school supplies could end up costing her more.

Back-to-school season is one of the busiest at Artists Emporium, but owner Janeen Junson said the U.S. trade war is having an impact. She said many of her suppliers have upped their prices.

“Not only are they seeing increases, we’re having a hard time sourcing some products, because many of the companies are refusing to deal with certain countries,” she said.

Junson said a simple sketchbook, one of the most popular items at the store this time of year, is costing her 25 per cent more than it did last year. She is trying to make sure that doesn’t trickle down to her customers.

“We’re trying to keep all the pricing we can at the old pricing, and just keep the increases to a minimum,” she said.

Not all school supplies will fall victim to trade war price hikes. John Graham, with the Retail Council of Canada’s prairies region, said many stores stocked up early on general school supplies to avoid tariff impacts.

He said parents shopping for other back-to-school items like new clothes and technology could face higher prices.

“We see and anticipate continued escalation of pricing out of China and Vietnam for clothing because of U.S. tariffs,” he said. “The U.S. global tariff approach on technology-producing countries is also having that similar negative approach.”

He said this just adds to the ongoing inflation and budget constraints facing families.

That’s one of the reasons All Saints Anglican Church is hosting a school supply drive, collecting materials for students at Mulvey School.

Rev. Rob Schoeck said his congregation has been doing this for the past three years.

“I wouldn’t be surprised that as family budgets begin to become stretched further and further, that the need will become greater and greater,” he said. “This is where community organizations and churches and groups like us have an opportunity to come alongside and help meet those needs.”

For Bell, she said overall she is not too worried.

“No, but it’s definitely good to keep something in mind, always looking for a deal or a bargain,” she said.