Retailers are rolling out a mix of discounts, special promotions, and targeted marketing to attract customers in the upcoming back-to-school season.
As competition intensifies, retailers are increasingly leveraging online platforms, exclusive collaborations, and sustainability initiatives to stand out in the crowded market. Whether through deep discounts or unique product offerings, the top 50 retail outlets are pulling out all the stops to ensure a successful back-to-school season.
The annual back-to-school rush is crucial for retail businesses, often marking a significant sales peak as families stock up on supplies, clothing, electronics, and other essentials.
Walmart remains a leader in back-to-school shopping, offering extensive deals on a wide range of products. This year, Walmart has focused on affordability, with significant discounts on school supplies, apparel, and electronics. Their marketing campaign highlights the convenience of online shopping with options for curbside pickup and home delivery. Noteworthy offers include $0.35 notebooks, $1 packs of pens, and up to 30% off on laptops and tablets.
Target’s back-to-school promotions emphasize style and quality. Their curated collections for students of all ages feature trendy apparel, backpacks, and dorm essentials. Target has introduced exclusive collaborations with popular brands, offering unique designs and products. Discounts include buy-one-get-one (BOGO) offers on school supplies and up to 40% off on clothing and shoes. Their "School List Assist" tool simplifies shopping by allowing parents to find and purchase items from their school's supply list online.
Specialty retailers play a crucial role in the back-to-school season, each offering unique products and promotions tailored to the needs of students and their families.
Staples positions itself as the go-to store for school supplies, offering competitive prices and extensive options. Their back-to-school sale features deals on essential items such as binders, notebooks, and writing instruments. Staples also promotes its technology offerings, with discounts on laptops, printers, and accessories. They provide a price match guarantee to ensure customers get the best deal.
Office Depot focuses on value and variety, with promotions aimed at both students and educators. Their "School Supply Drive" campaign encourages customers to donate supplies for underprivileged students. Special offers include 50% off backpacks, 20% off select school supplies, and significant savings on tech products like Chromebooks and graphing calculators.
Best Buy’s back-to-school focus is on technology, catering to students’ needs for laptops, tablets, and other gadgets. Their promotions include student discounts, special financing offers, and bundle deals. Best Buy also offers a "Student Hub" with resources and recommendations to help students choose the right tech products for their needs.
Apple targets students with their annual back-to-school promotion, offering discounts on MacBooks, iPads, and accessories. This year, students and educators can get a free pair of AirPods with the purchase of a qualifying Mac or iPad. Apple also provides educational pricing on software and accessories, making it an attractive option for those invested in the Apple ecosystem.
In clothing, Old Navy’s back-to-school campaign centers on affordability and fashion. They offer a wide selection of trendy clothing for kids and teens, with deals like $5 graphic tees, $10 jeans, and 50% off on select styles. Old Navy also highlights inclusivity, featuring a range of sizes and styles to accommodate all body types.
Gap targets the higher-end segment with promotions including up to 40% off on uniforms, casual wear, and accessories. Gap emphasizes sustainability, promoting their eco-friendly clothing lines made from organic and recycled materials.
Macy’s combines traditional back-to-school items with a focus on fashion and home goods for college students. Their promotions include 25-50% off on kids' clothing, shoes, and backpacks. For college students, Macy’s offers discounts on bedding, small appliances, and dorm décor. They also provide a special discount for educators and students who use their Macy's card.
Kohl’s back-to-school deals cover a wide range of products, from clothing and shoes to backpacks and electronics, and include 30% off on kids' apparel and footwear and special Kohl’s Cash promotions for additional discounts on future purchases. Kohl’s also partners with various brands to offer exclusive collections.
H&M's back-to-school campaign focuses on affordable and stylish clothing for kids and teens. This year, H&M offers a variety of discounts, such as up to 30% off on children's apparel and 20% off on school accessories like backpacks and lunch bags. H&M also promotes sustainable fashion, featuring eco-friendly materials in their back-to-school collections.
Zara targets fashion-forward students with trendy and high-quality clothing. Their back-to-school promotions include 25% off on select kids' and teens' clothing lines, along with special offers on footwear and accessories. Zara's collections emphasize contemporary styles and durability, appealing to parents looking for long-lasting clothing options.
Back to school also means the return of athletics programs.
Dick’s Sporting Goods caters to students involved in sports and physical education. Their back-to-school offers include discounts on athletic apparel, footwear, and equipment. Notable deals are up to 40% off on select sneakers and 25% off on backpacks and gym bags. Dick’s also provides a "Buy Online, Pick Up in Store" option for added convenience.
Academy Sports + Outdoors focuses on affordability and variety in their back-to-school promotions. They offer significant discounts on school uniforms, athletic wear, and sports equipment. Deals include BOGO on select athletic shoes and up to 30% off on sports gear and backpacks. Academy also highlights their price match guarantee to ensure customers receive the best value.
And what’s school without books?
Barnes & Noble positions itself as a key destination for educational materials and school supplies. Their back-to-school sale includes discounts on textbooks, educational books, and stationery. Offers include 20% off on school planners, 15% off on educational games, and special pricing on e-readers and tablets. Barnes & Noble also provides a "Kid's Club" membership for additional savings.
Books-A-Million focuses on both educational resources and school supplies. Their promotions feature discounts on a wide range of books, from textbooks to children's literature, as well as school essentials like notebooks and pens. Special deals include 25% off on select books and BOGO offers on school supplies. They also run a school rewards program for educators.
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