With just weeks until the start of classes, parents from Lima to Santiago are ramping up their back-to-school shopping, reflecting significant shifts influenced by technology and consumer trends. A recent study by La Unidad de Inteligencia de Datos de Impulso (UIDI) reveals insights from over 18 million online activities between January 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025, indicating growing reliance on digital tools for educational decisions.
The research identifies 912,105 individuals actively seeking information on school-related topics, pointing to the main role of the internet as the information source. Unlike previous years, 2025 has seen over 180,000 people seeking advice via artificial intelligence and virtual assistants like ChatGPT, marking a 21% rise. The demographic profile depicts parents predominantly as millennials, aged between 28 and 44 years (58%), followed by Generation X (31%), and even some younger centennials (9%). Women make up 68% of those making educational decisions, portraying the increasingly digital nature of parenting.
A notable outcome of this trend is the shifting priorities around school enrollment decisions. Historically centered on educational quality, parents now express primary concern about tuition costs (38.6%), followed closely by safety and location (32.6%). With educational quality slipping to third place (29.8%), the study highlights changing parents' priorities amid economic pressures.
On the shopping front, trends highlight what parents are seeking for the upcoming school year. Among the most searched items are notebooks, which lead at 34.20%, followed by backpacks (30.50%) and writing instruments (28.90%). School uniforms and shoes are also high on the list, recording preferences of 27.10% each. UIDI concluded, "La digitalización sigue transformando la forma en que los padres buscan información sobre colegios y útiles escolares,” emphasizing the lasting impact of technology on education shopping habits.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, trends are following suit. Mercado Libre Chile's observations indicate up to a 20% increase compared to January 2025 on school-related product searches. Popular items include stylish yet functional backpacks, notebooks, and even musical instruments. Camila Cembrano, the commercial director of Mercado Libre Chile, noted, "Este año, la vuelta a clases se ha marcado por una fuerte preferencia por productos que combinan practicidad y estilo," coining the phrase "Back to School 2025," which embodies their marketing campaign to cater to these demands.
Distinctive products have emerged from this year’s back-to-school shopping spree, bridging the gap between design, functionality, and affordability. The beloved Originals Matte Black Velvet Regular Bubba Essential backpack, Hardley Viator's 40-liter backpack equipped with USB, and Hello Kitty Proarte's universal notebooks show how style has intertwined with student necessities.
Interestingly, there has been significant variation among product searches. Notably, “women’s sneakers” rose by 70%, coupled with other categories like “backpacks” and “notebooks,” which increased by 50%. Cembrano explains how effective planning on behalf of buyers has led to these increases, as consumers lean heavily toward products offering both design and practicality without inflaming their budgets.
On the other side of the competition for back-to-school purchases, students from Cámara de Comercio de Valladolid have created collaborative inventions merging education with innovative design. Their project, “TrendsBet,” which won the second prize at Start Innova, introduces the concept of creating betting models based on Google search trends. This initiative combines learning with real-world applications, showcasing their insights and innovations to create future opportunities.
Relying on keyword analysis and employing blockchain technology, “TrendsBet” enables users to participate transparently and securely within prediction markets. This imaginative approach exemplifies how educational institutions are responding dynamically to modern challenges, inspiring student creativity and preparing them for today's digital marketplaces.
Commitments to nurturing young talent resonate throughout these initiatives. The Cámara de Comercio de Valladolid notes the importance of fostering innovative ideas, having supported numerous entrepreneurial endeavors over the past 25 years. With comprehensive guidance and resources made available to students, they prepare future entrepreneurs, equipping them to thrive within dynamic sectors.
Overall, as parents brace for the back-to-school rush, the 2025 trends reveal much about the role of technology, design, and entrepreneurship reshaping educational shopping. The convergence of digital awareness, aesthetic preferences, and innovative educational projects promises to redefine how parental choices are made and how younger generations engage with their educational journeys.