Back to School 2026: the trends you can't miss

Water bottles and lunch boxes are chosen for their design, their color and, increasingly, for their environmental commitment. A trend Camille sees growing year after year, and one that’s accelerating for this 2026 back to school season.

Two brands embody this shift:

• Yoko Design, insulated bottles, mugs and reusable lunch bags with an eco friendly approach.
• Bini, reusable lunch boxes and cutlery made from bio sourced materials, manufactured in France and assembled by ESATs (French sheltered workshops for people with disabilities).

Practicality, aesthetics and eco responsibility: criteria that weigh more and more heavily in purchase decisions.

Licensed characters overwhelmingly dominate back to school orders. Pokémon remains a constant favorite, but 2026 also confirms the rise of newer licenses like KPop Demon Hunters, fueled by the growing popularity of Asian pop culture among younger audiences.

What Valentine observes: these licenses are reshaping in store buying dynamics. It’s often the kids themselves who drive the purchase. A reality retailers need to factor in when merchandising these products on shelves.

Another strong signal identified: animal prints, plush toys and bright colors are winning over families with young children.

Les Déglingos captures this trend well, with a world that spans plush toys, backpacks, water bottles and sports bags, enough to outfit an entire back to school season under one single visual identity.

This is the most striking trend of the season, according to Valentine: the strong return of 90s and 2000s nostalgia. Characters and visual worlds once thought to belong only to old class photos are resurfacing, driven by two types of customers. On one side, adults rediscovering the visual codes of their childhood. On the other, a new generation of kids discovering them for the first time.

Leading the way: Diddl, back on shelves after years of absence. On Ankorstore, it can be found in particular through the brand Kontiki, with pens, plush toys and supplies aimed at concept stores, stationery shops and gift shops.

• Strike a balance between safe bets (well known licenses, established French brands) and creative discoveries, to surprise your customers without throwing them off.
• Plan orders ahead over the summer, especially for license related products, which tend to sell out fast once the season kicks off.
• Highlight eco responsible and Made in France brands, an increasingly decisive factor for customers.

Discover the Back to School selection now on Ankorstore and find all the brands mentioned in this article.

Thanks to Camille Monzein and Valentine Thomas for sharing their insight on this year’s back to school trends. 

(Interview conducted in August 2026)