Back-to-school season is here. See deals at Walmart, Target, more
Classes are almost back in session, meaning back-to-school season is officially underway.
With August upon us, families are trying to soak up the last drops of summer while also trying to find the time to go out and buy new materials for the upcoming school year.
Some might have found and purchased what they needed already, while others are still waiting for an official supply list, or for the frenzy at major retailers to die down before they shop.
According to the National Retail Federation, two-thirds, or 67% of shoppers, began to shop for school-related items in early July, weeks before the school year started in most places.
Either way, the sales and discounts at major retailers, including Walmart, will continue for a few more weeks.
We've compiled a roundup of back-to-school deals from major retailers, from Target to Amazon, in case you haven't gotten around to it yet.
Amazon
According to Amazon, the "Back to School Shop" has anything and everything parents, students and teachers might need for the school year.
Customers can search for products by price and category with "convenient shopping filters."
"This week, shoppers can find deep discounts on school supplies from brands like Elmer’s and Oxford, school uniforms from brands like IZOD and Nautica, and backpacks from American Tourister and Under Armour," Amazon said in a statement.
Staples
Back-to-school sales are back at Staples, "making it easy to get everything they need without going over budget."
According to the office supply store chain, "shoppers will find prices starting at just 25 cents, weekly school supply freebies, and a 20% off coupon just for teachers."
Through Aug. 30, customers can get school supplies, including notebooks and markers, for under $1 and get money off on must-have tech in stores and online.
Staples is also offering customers a free, personalized first day of school banner through Sept. 13. Other deals, including a $20 promo card, are available in-store, online or via the Staples app through Aug. 16.
Visit Staples.com for a full back-to-school deals breakdown.
Walmart
Considered a one-stop shop, Walmart is offering discounts on some of the "most popular" supplies from notebooks to pencils, lunch essentials, snacks, clothing and tech.
Walmart is taking the guesswork out of back-to-school shopping by offering "one-click baskets," a way for customers to get $2 lunches, snacks and school supply bundles, among others, with one simple click.
The fun doesn't stop there, with the retailer offering a 50% off Walmart+ membership to college and grad students, as well as free tech setup and a year of tech support from True Network Solutions with the purchase of select laptops and tablets.
Visit Walmart.com for additional information, including terms and exclusions, on this year's back-to-school deals.
Office Depot OfficeMax
Office Depot OfficeMax has promised customers "big" savings, with discounts on "hundreds of best-selling school essentials for under three dollars with prices starting as low as 25 cents."
According to the office supply retailer, customers can take advantage of markdowns on everything from glue to tech accessories, such as a TI-84 graphing calculator.
Additional on-theme perks include 25% back in bonus rewards for teachers, on qualifying purchases, through Sept. 27, as well as custom print banners, welcome signs and curriculum (with same-day pickup when ordered by 2 p.m. local time).
Office Depot OfficeMax customers can cash in on extra savings with a price match guarantee on qualifying items, discounts for rewards members and state tax-free holiday events.
Visit Office Depot OfficeMax for a full back-to-school deals breakdown.
Target
Target's "Back-to-School-idays," a multi-day savings event, will continue through Aug. 2 in stores and online at Target.com.
According to Target, key school items like supplies, select backpacks and kids' apparel will feature discounts of up to 30%, for example, $0.25 crayons and glue sticks, $2 water bottles, $5 wired headphones and more.
Customers who spend $50 on Home Care items get a $15 Target GiftCard with Target Circle.
Target customers can cash in on extra savings for this back-to-school season and beyond with Target Circle deals, Target Circle 360 perks and tax-free weekends.
Verified college students can redeem a one-time 20% off storewide discount with Target Circle through Sept. 27; the same goes for teachers, but they can only take advantage of the perk through Aug. 30.
These groups can also save 50% on a one-year membership if they join Target Circle 360 before Sept. 14.
The Minneapolis-based retailer is hosting in-store "personalization stations," where customers of all ages can customize school and dorm essentials from backpacks to pillows with embroidery, patches and charms.
Nearly 500 stores across the country will participate in the event, which will be held Aug. 2 and Aug. 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time both days. View participating stores here.
Best Buy
Best Buy, a purveyor of all things tech, is helping certain customers "gear up" for the school year with a tax-free sale.
Shoppers in multiple states, including Missouri, Florida, South Carolina, West Virginia, Arkansas and Massachusetts, can take advantage of tax exemptions on tech essentials, from laptops to printers.
According to Best Buy, tax-free sales will continue through Aug. 3 for some states, while others, namely Florida, will continue through Aug. 31.
See the dates for your state's tax-free sale below:
- Missouri - Aug. 1-3
- Florida - Aug. 1-31
- South Carolina - Aug. 1-3
- West Virginia - Aug. 1-4
- Arkansas - Aug. 2-3
- Massachusetts - Aug. 9-10
- Ohio - Aug. 1- 14
Check your local Department of Revenue website for full details on your state's tax-free tech, Best Buy suggests.
Clientele can also reap the benefits of "Best Buy’s Student Hub," a resource guide complete with a campus checklist, laptop buying guide and summer deals that change each week.