Now’s the perfect time to get ahead of the rush with savvy purchases in Pretoria. Whether you’re shopping for the first day of Grade 1 or prepping for high school, finding good value on uniforms, stationery, backpacks and lunch boxes can make all the difference. At Pretoria.co.za we’ve rounded up top deals from trusted local outlets so you can tick everything off your list and still keep your sanity (and budget) intact.
The 2026 school year is just around the corner, and Game is a one-stop destination for everything you need to start the new year strong. Prepping for Grade 1 or gearing up for university, their Back-to-School deals and specials offers top-quality stationery, school wear, tech, backpacks, and more at unmissable prices. Stocking up on everything you need for school doesn't need to bust the budget.
Shop Game's trusted brands and budget-friendly bundles to make back-to-school shopping stress-free.
Click here to shop their specials.
Bidvest Waltons
For all things stationery, Bidvest Waltons is the place to be. Here, you can shop a wide variety of stationery to ensure that your kids are ready for the new school year. They currently have their Back-To-School offers on their website, along with unmissable Black Friday offerings to ensure extra savings. This is the perfect time to get started on your back-to-school needs.
Their website also offers the option to search for your specific school's stationery list, so you can shop with ease, knowing exactly what you need to purchase for your child for the new school year.
Click here to view their back-to-school specials.
ValueCo
Unmissable bargains and great value, ValueCo is a must-visit if you're looking for mega savings during back-to-school season. Shop their selection of stationery, backpacks, lunchboxes, and extras to kick off the school year on a high note. And best of all, ValueCo won't bust your budget, ensuring affordable prices and great deals.
Also, don't forget to shop their Black Friday specials, currently running at stores throughout the country.
Click here for more information.
Checkers
Start your back-to-school shopping early with Checkers! Their Back-to-School specials are already available online, allowing you to shop for everything you need in the comfort of your own home. And best of all, you can have it delivered via Checkers Sixty60, ensuring that you get your school essentials well before the school rush even begins!
Shop everything from notepads, pencils, pens and erasers to backpacks, lunchboxes and even snacks! Getting ready for the new school year has never been easier.
Makro
Makro is ahead of the back-to-school game! They're on the ball and have their unmissable offers and specials live to ensure that you miss the chaos and rush of back-to-school stationery and essentials shopping. And best of all, you'll get amazing discounts when shopping in bulk to ensure your stationery needs are well stocked for the entire year.
Everything you need is at Makro. All under one roof. Think school books, rulers, erasers, pens and sharpeners, all the way through to backpacks, lunchtime treats, starter kits, book covers, daily diaries and more.
Click here to shop online now.
PNA
When it comes to back-to-school stationery shopping, PNA has always been a firm favourite for families. They offer everything from pencil case essentials to art suppliers and accessories. And to make school shopping easier, their specials are already live and waiting to save you a bunch of bucks.
Also, they don't only do stationery. Here, you can also find lunchboxes, water bottles and backpacks. There's even a few tech gadgets you can shop at great prices.
Pep Stores
Lets face it, school uniform shopping can be quite pricey. But, at Pep stores, you can can get your hands on the essentials at affordable prices. Think crisp white shirts, pairs upon pairs of school socks, grey trousers and skirts, cosy jerseys for winter, comfortable school shoes, and affordable school bags and accessories.
Pep's prices will definitely not bust the bank, ensuring that school essential shopping won't cost a pretty penny.
Click here to shop online now.
The Crazy Store
Although The Crazy Store's back-to-school deals are not currently live, we know that they will be getting you school ready at affordable prices soon! What we love about The Crazy Store is that it's always fun to browse and shopping through, which will definitely make back-to-school shopping more entertaining than boring.
Here, you'll find stationery of all kinds, homeware for packing those school lunches, and a few fun accessories to make learning a little more exciting for the little ones. Plus, you can also add a few back-to-school treats to the cart to make your little learners' packed lunches fun.
Jet
Shop at Jet for back-to-school uniform essentials. This is just the place if you want to get your hands on shirts, shoes, grey school shorts and skirts, backpacks, socks, stocking...everything you need, basically, to fill out your child's school wardrobe. Kids grow quickly, and will eventually move up in the size range. So, replacing these essentials can get pricey. But not at Jet!
Click here to shop at Jet online via Bash.com.
Ackermans
Another uniform essentials hotspot for affordable clothing items is Ackermans. They have already launched their back-to-school specials for the 2026 school year, so get started now before stocks run out and the rush kicks in.
Ackermans will have all of the basics to have your little ones looking smart and ready for w new year of learning.
Click here to shop online now.
Tips for Finding the Best Back-to-School Deals
- Start Early: The early bird catches the worm—or in this case, the best deals! Stores often begin their back-to-school promotions as early as December. Shopping early ensures you beat the crowds and avoid out-of-stock frustrations.
- Compare Prices Online: Before heading to the store, browse online for deals. Many retailers post their promotions on their websites or apps. Price comparison platforms like PriceCheck can save you time and money by showing you the best offers across different retailers.
- Leverage Loyalty Programmes: Retailers like Clicks, Dis-Chem, and Pick n Pay reward loyal customers with points or cashback on purchases. Use these programs to stretch your budget further.
- Buy in Bulk: If you have more than one child or want to stock up for the year, buying in bulk can save a significant amount. Stores like Makro and Game offer discounts on bulk purchases, especially on stationery and uniforms.
- Wait for Clearance Sales: If your child doesn’t need everything on day one, waiting for post-season clearance sales can yield massive savings. Retailers often slash prices by up to 50% after the initial back-to-school rush.
Final checklist before the school gates swing open
To make sure you’re fully ready, keep this checklist in mind:
- Uniform items: summer/winter, sports kit, shoes, socks, house‑colours, blazers.
- Stationery and supplies: exercise books, pens, art materials, geometry set, calculator.
- Backpack, lunch box, water bottle: durable, labelled, size appropriate.
- Budget‑savvy decisions: bundle deals, early orders, lay‑by options.
- Service‑based benefits: helpful sizing, fittings, returns policy (for uniforms).
- Shopping early: avoid last‑minute stock‑outs or rushed purchases.
Why now is a good time to Shop
Getting everything sorted well in advance offers peace of mind. Not only do you sidestep the crush of last‑minute shopping but you often find early‑bird discounts and better selection.
In Pretoria, local stores know the back‑to‑school season well and many will offer promotions or deals during this window (as seen with Waltons, PNA, ValueCo and others) for stationery and supplies.
Furthermore, by doing your homework now you avoid hidden costs later: paying premium prices when demand hits its peak, replacing items because they didn’t fit properly, or having to make rushed purchases that don’t match the school requirements.
Get Shopping, Pretoria!
Pretoria’s back‑to‑school scene offers plenty of smart options for parents and learners alike. From uniforms at dedicated specialist stores to stationery and gear at value‑oriented chains, you can tick off everything on your list without feeling like you’ve overspent.
Focus on the essentials, use the list as your guide, compare a few stores, and you’ll start the new school term with confidence.
Head out early, bag a few bargains and watch those first‑day jitters turn into excitement, because you know you’re ready. Here’s to a strong start to the new school year in Pretoria!
