WCPO: Shoppers are cutting costs to buy school supplies
UC economist David Brasington encourages consumers to search for bargains
Finding the best bargain is the best bet for consumers searching for school supplies, according to David Brasington, PhD, James C. and Caroline Kautz Chair in Political Economy and economics professor at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business.
David Brasington, PhD, James C. and Caroline Kautz Chair in Political Economy and economics professor.
“With everything that people have to buy, it really cuts down on what they want to buy,” Brasington told WCPO.
According to the National Retail Federation, more than one-third of consumers are cutting back in other areas to pay for back-to-school supplies.
Brasington noted that increased wages that have been raised for inflation are partially responsible for the higher prices on school supplies. He also cited other factors such as oil prices and supply chain backups.
“You just have to find whatever's cheapest,” Brasington said. “If you normally shop at a name-brand store, maybe go to a lower quality store, like a dollar store, and find things that are cheaper there.”
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
Struggling with daily HIV meds?
March 23, 2026
For many people living with HIV, staying healthy depends on something deceptively simple: taking a pill every day. But for those navigating unstable housing, stigma, mental health challenges or addiction, that daily routine can be hard to maintain. As Yahoo!Health recently reported, a new study suggests there may be a better option.
Extended-release buprenorphine viable, safe during pregnancy
March 23, 2026
MedPage Today highlighted research led by the University of Cincinnati's John Winhusen published in JAMA Internal Medicine that found administering weekly injectable extended-release buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder during pregnancy led to higher rates of abstinence from illicit opioids than buprenorphine given daily under the tongue.
Why are we so unhappy?
March 23, 2026
Suzie White, assistant professor in the School of Education, at the University of Cincinnati, spoke with Newsweek about the results of the 2026 World Happiness Report that placed the United States 23rd among countries.