Price-Driven Back-to-School Shopping Surge Starts Early for Families

Although the current school year isn’t over yet for all kids, some families are already thinking about the costs associated with their children going back to school in the fall.

Amid economic uncertainty, rising prices, and fears of product shortages, many caregivers are rethinking when and what they shop for. Experts say this year’s back-to-school season will likely start earlier than usual, as shoppers aim to beat potential price spikes and supply chain challenges.

TeacherLists shared in a press release that 61% of parents associate back-to-school shopping with words like “financially challenging” and “stressful.” TeacherLists’ Preseason Parent Survey reveals that while the late summer months remain the most popular time to go back-to-school shopping, the number of families planning to shop in June has nearly doubled, from 11% to 20%.

This means that families are already stocking up on necessities for their students as they see sales posted. They are also spending more time shopping around for deals instead of exclusively sticking to one store.

How Some Parents Are Alleviating the Financial Burden of Back-to-School Shopping

Parents are alleviating the financial burden of back-to-school shopping in many different ways. Some shop throughout the year for essentials that remain constant yearly, while others wait until sales begin and then purchase items when they can.

Consumer Reports suggested a series of methods parents can utilize throughout the year to take the pinch out of this yearly expense. This includes watching sales, buying a little of each item at a time, and starting a small savings account to offset the shopping cost.

Additionally, parents can ask their children’s teachers which items are needed right away. Those can be purchased first, and the other items as needed.

There are also student discounts for some retailers for college needs. Big-ticket items such as electronics can be purchased refurbished to save money. Plus, many retailers, including Best Buy, Target, and Walmart, will match competitors’ prices at the register, so consumers may be able to get a better price without even leaving the store.