Posted by: Unknown

Back-to-school season is one of the busiest times for parents, which means less time to find the best deals and more savings passed up. To help parents with their shopping, WalletHub tracked offers from a dozen big retailers for the past year, identifying the biggest discounts through the end of September.

Listed below are WalletHub’s picks of 10 A+ deals, followed by the top offers in nice product categories such as “Apparel & Accessories” and “Computers & Phones.” You’ll also find each item’s sale price and discount percentage to show you exactly how much you stand to save.

Need a way to keep in touch with your kid? August is the cheapest time of the year to hook your kid up with a cell phone, so make sure to leave room in your budget for one this month if that item’s on your school-supply list.

Scroll down for all the best savings opportunities and money-saving back-to-school tips from experts. To learn how we found the deals, read our methodology.

Best 10 Cherry-Picked Deals

 

Fitted Cotton Jacket (9-12) by ARMANI KIDS
	Sale: $99.99 42.86% offBurlington Coat Factory
HP Pavilion 27c 27" Curved Display, Black
	Sale: $238.00 35.33% offSam’s Club (Price valid until September 29, 2017)
ALEX desk
	Sale: $129.00 27.93% offIKEA (Price valid August 04 –13, 2017)
Kenmore 2275123 75123 5.8 cu. ft. Freestanding Gas Range w/True Convection – Stainless Steel
	Sale: $1099.99 42.11% offSears (Price valid until August 05, 2017)
Canon EOS Rebel T6i 24.2MP CMOS DSLR, 18-55mm Lens, 55-250mm Lens, 32GB SD, Case
	Sale: $849.99 29.17% offBJ’s (Price valid until August 06, 2017)
High Sierra® Backpacks
	50.00% offOffice Depot & OfficeMax (Price valid July 30 – August 05, 2017)
Slipback Convertible Sofa
	Sale: $196.99 67.17% offWayfair
Dell™ Inspiron 15.6” Laptop with Intel® Core™ i7 Processor
	Sale: $549.99 31.25% offOffice Depot & OfficeMax (Prices valid July 30 – August 05, 2017)
Kenmore 62332 7.0 cu. ft. Electric Dryer – White and Kenmore 22532 3.5 cu. ft. Top-Load Washer – White
	Sale: $719.98 44.62% offSears (Prices valid until August 05, 2017)
HP OfficeJet Pro 6978
	Sale: $99.99 44.45% offOffice Depot & OfficeMax (Price valid July 30 – August 05, 2017)

< >

• Suzanne Palmer Assistant Professor of Economics & Business and Pre-Law Advisor at Albright College
• Shirley A. Lazorchak Professor of Marketing in the Department of Business and Economics at California University of Pennsylvania
• Robert L. Williams Jr. Assistant Professor of Marketing in the Sigmund Weis School of Business at Susquehanna University
• Nora Ganim Barnes Chancellor Professor of Marketing and Director of the Center for Marketing Research at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
• Miro Copic Professor of Marketing at San Diego State University and the Founder and Principal Partner of BottomLine Marketing (www.blmllc.com)
• Lexi Hutto Assistant Professor of Marketing at Millersville University
• Deborah Colton Associate Professor of Marketing in the Saunders College of Business at the Rochester Institute of Technology
• Beibei (Bacy) Dong Associate Professor of Marketing in the College of Business & Economics at Lehigh University
• Balaji Krishnan Director of MBA Programs and Professor in the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management at the University of Memphis

Suzanne Palmer Assistant Professor of Economics & Business and Pre-Law Advisor at Albright College What back to school money saving tips do you have for parents? Reading in preparation for class is an important part of learning. If you have decided to invest in a college education, you also need to invest in the tools to achieve the most from that education. Textbooks can be expensive, so it’s important to understand your acquisition options. A money saving tip that is frequently overlooked or misunderstood is the savings available by purchasing the “international edition” of a textbook. While not available in all disciplines, international editions are readily available in economics and business. An international edition of a textbook is almost always identical in content to the U.S. version of the book, but it will be a soft cover, and the cover will be visually distinct from that of the U.S. version. As opposed to counterfeit books, which are illegal, international edition textbooks are perfectly legal to buy and sell in the U.S. This issue was actually decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013, in the case of Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons. An international edition text is published in a lower cost format, to satisfy the needs in foreign markets that exhibit a different demand curve from the U.S.; that is, high textbook costs are not tolerated by buyers. So, check online booksellers, make sure you are purchasing the correct edition of the book, and ask your professor if you have any questions about the content of an international edition of the textbook. If you need an access code related to the textbook, you will have to purchase it in the same manner as if you purchased the book used, or rented it. Shirley A. Lazorchak Professor of Marketing in the Department of Business and Economics at California University of Pennsylvania What types of products are most likely to be discounted as part of a Back-to-School sales period? Many product categories associated with the Back to School and Back to College season will be discounted during this important selling period, including apparel and accessories, dorm room/apartment essentials, including bedding and small appliances, school and office supplies, computers and electronic gadgets. In a short eight-week season, approximately $84 billion will be spent. This figure makes the Back to School season the second biggest shopping period of the year. Retailers and marketers know that consumers are looking for deals, and they aim to please. What tips do you have for finding the best Back-To-School deals? Consumers should leverage the use of technology to help navigate the marketplace. Increase the monitoring of social media accounts of preferred retailers. They will be increasing their messaging to their target followers, informing them of specials, deals, giveaways and promotions. Similarly, consumers should increase the monitoring of their email accounts for special announcements from preferred partners. Follow the musings and recommendations from bloggers who write about family and home topics. Many of them offer Back to School product reviews, which may help consumers decide among brands, product features and benefits. Be sure to determine if blogger reviews are paid for by vendor sponsors, or if they are freely offered. Reputable bloggers will clarify their arrangements. Take advantage of flash sales, giveaways and contests offered to consumers on sites like Amazon.com. What back to school money saving tips do you have for parents? If saving money is truly the primary goal, consumers must manage their behavior.

• Shop later in the Back to School season. Research shows that those consumers who shop earlier spend more over the span of the season than those who begin their shopping later. Also, prices drop as the season progresses, allowing consumers to save more as discounts deepen.

• Prior to the first shopping trip, take a household inventory. For example, determine if a stash of office supplies is already stored in the home office.

• Stretch your dollars by determining if your state participates in a sales tax holiday. Check for your state’s dates on SalesTaxInstitute.com.

• Utilize retailer’s Back to School shopping lists. Not only will these shopping lists help consumers strategically construct their own, they educate consumers about trends. Furthermore, many items on those lists are discounted by the retailer.

• Take advantage of bundled offerings. For example, be sure to grab the free package of pencils when you purchase three notebooks.

• Purchase store brands of products. Many house brands are offered for prices lower than the national brands, without a loss of quality.

• Shop all year round for deals found on clearance, sale and liquidation.

• Broaden the store formats typically patronized. Leave the office supply stores for some products and peruse the offerings at the dollar stores.

• Set a budget and stick to it. Differentiate between wants and needs.

• Host a clothing swap, or shop resale or consignment.

• Purchase in bulk. While consumers are buying household supplies for the college dorm room or apartment, consider stocking up for the home as well.

• Use shopping apps like ShopKick and Retale. These types of apps either offer additional savings, award gift cards after meeting requirements, or offer savings through price matching of competitor’s offerings.

Robert L. Williams Jr. Assistant Professor of Marketing in the Sigmund Weis School of Business at Susquehanna University What types of products are most likely to be discounted as part of a Back to School sales period? It’s a difficult market, since there is the K-12 segment, and the College segment. The first is more parent dominated; the latter more student dominated, to a point. So be careful about broad generalizations. That said, first some trends to set the base:

• Moms/females still dominate in the purchase decision;

• This is now the second biggest retail season, after Christmas Holidays ($540 billion July-Sept -- Forbes);

• Phone (online) purchasing -- 60% share, forecasted up 11% (Forbes);

• Free shipping is important;

• Customers want value price (not lowest), convenience/selection, and quality;

• BOPIS is well suited for college (Buy Online, Pickup In Store), since parents can pick up at the college location and save car/plane space;

• Clothing expected up to 10%, computer/hardware down to 4%.

In terms of determining what products get discounted, where the best deals are, and how to generally save money, it really depends on multiple factors. Perhaps the best “offense” is a good “defense.” Know that:

• Your business is important to them, they need you;

• There’s a battle between bricks/clicks and every possible combination;

• This market is less predictable, less consistent, and starts earlier.

What tips do you have for finding the best Back to School deals? Since retailers have less room for error and competition is fierce, what we’re seeing is similar to what happened in the Christmas season (no more waiting to start on Black Friday -- it’s now every person for themselves), so the retailers have to be flexible. Use that to your advantage. Realize that they probably track you, depending upon how many apps/loyalty programs you use. And they track the competition. Their desire is to find out as much about you as possible, to offer you the least necessary to convert you to a paying -- not shopping -- customer. So look around, and don’t be afraid to ask them” “What’s the best price you can do on this?” Or “when does this go on sale?” You might be pleasantly surprised. Nora Ganim Barnes Chancellor Professor of Marketing and Director of the Center for Marketing Research at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth What types of products are most likely to be discounted as part of a Back to School sales period? The short answer is clothing, computers and electronics, and school supplies. But look for all things back-to-school, including dorm room decor, shoes, sneakers, sweatshirts, and accessories. This is a $27 billion shopping period according to Deloitte, that is important to retailers. For that reason, there is a retail strategy involved in deciding when the promotions should occur (July, August or September) and what the big trends are, as Millennials look to be fashionable, as well as functional. What tips do you have for finding the best Back to School deals? Don't be fooled. The Dollar Store is not the cheapest place to purchase school supplies, like notebooks and pens. You can do better at the big box stores. Watch the flyers -- there will be a lot of advertising. Line sites, like those who cover Black Friday sales, will also compare products and prices for Back to School now. Social media is incredibly helpful, as people share good deals on Facebook and Instagram. What back to school money saving tips do you have for parents? Parents spend on average $500 per child, according to Deloitte. So it's well worth looking online for deals and coupons. Most stores will honor coupons in addition to the promotion. Also think about consignment shops and other places where gently worn finds are common. Buy good quality products to get multiple years from a backpack. Go online for endless articles about wise shopping tips and resources, to help compare brands. Miro Copic Professor of Marketing at San Diego State University and the Founder and Principal Partner of BottomLine Marketing (www.blmllc.com) What types of products are most likely to be discounted as part of a Back to School sales period? Back to School (BTS) sales are more needs driven rather than gifting driven (e.g., Holiday Shopping Season), or even discretionary. Hence, spending is much more concentrated. This year, the National Retail Federation predicts that BTS spending (both K-12 and College) will be $83.6 billion (up 10% from last year’s 75.8 billion). Spending on College BTS is expected to be about $54.1 billion, and K-12 about $29.5. Most of the growth is in the college segment -- 12% vs. 8% for K-12 spending. Back to School is the second largest spending period after Holiday shopping (a distant second), but it is important to retailers. Spending per household is expected to be $688, spending focused on these categories:

• Clothing (from outerwear, i.e., jackets and coats, to underwear) -- $238;

• Electronics (computers, tablets offering big discounts, and cell phones) -- $204;

• Shoes -- $130;

• Back to School supplies (e.g., from pencils to backpacks) -- $114.

In fact, 64% of spending is primarily on clothing and electronics. Back to College spending is higher -- $970 per household, and they spend on a few more categories, but clothing and electronics are still the top 2, representing 40% of spending. Other categories important to Back to College shoppers are dorm/apartment furnishings (which aren’t considered by Back to School shoppers) and collegiate items (e.g., apparel, accessories, etc.). Things consumers purchase for BTS:

• Computers (especially models that are being replaced or upgraded in the fall) will have substantial discounts ($200 - $400 and more), as manufacturers try to thin out inventory for new models;

• Shoes are an important seller, both athletic shoes and everyday/formal shoes;

• In clothing, more staple items, ranging from underwear and T-shirts to jeans and staples (e.g., T-shirts/polos) to jackets -- this is not a big period for high fashion.

Most shoppers (over 70%) start looking for deals 1-2 months before BTS. This means that they tend to start in earnest in July. This is why Amazon Prime Day has been so successful since they offer key BTS items early. Just over 20% start 1-2 weeks before, and less than 10% wait till school starts. About 15% of college students shop after school starts, since they often change classes after their semester/quarter begins. Where are consumers making purchases? BTS shoppers still go to department (e.g., Macy’s, Kohl’s, Penny’s or Sears) or discount stores (Wal-Mart, Target, etc.) for most of their shopping. Online shopping is now equal to shopping in clothing stores. In contrast, Back to College shoppers shop primarily online, followed by discount and department stores. What tips do you have for finding the best Back to School deals?

• Download comparison shopping apps (e.g., Amazon, Walmart Savings Catcher, Shop Savvy, Buy Via, etc.). Several of these comparison shopping apps have built-in user reviews.

• Next year, mark Amazon Prime Day to shop for key BTS items -- electronics, shoes and clothing basics.

• Download key retailer mobile apps and put items in your wish list, and as you will receive alerts to sales, you can specify by product type or brand. Make sure you have specialty retailers like Staples, Best Buy or Dick’s Sporting Goods, as well as mainstream retailers like Macy’s or Target. Amazon is essential, and eBay could be interesting. Most of these retailer apps have built in user reviews.

• Bookmark coupon sites (coupon.com, retailmenot.com, moneysavingmom.com, thekrazycouponlady.com and yipit.com -- a daily deal aggregator) -- these are just some interesting options.

• Old school: newspapers (e.g., Macy’s advertises heavily in print) and catalogs/announcement that arrive in the mail from specific retailers -- sometimes there are deals here (and in-store) that are not online for a while (since retailers want you to go to their brick and mortar outlets).

What back to school money saving tips do you have for parents?

• Free online shipping for lower order amounts;

• Use comparison pricing tools (mobile) to get the lowest price at retail (they don’t want you to walk out of the store);

• Online ordering and in-store pick-up (same day);

• Look for discounts on the entire purchase vs. specific items;

• If you’re buying many items, you can even ask for an additional discount. Retailers have some discretion if the total sale exceeds a certain threshold. Smaller stores or independently owned shops can do this more easily.

Lexi Hutto Assistant Professor of Marketing at Millersville University What types of products are most likely to be discounted as part of a Back to School (BTS) sales period? Back to School is the second largest shopping event after the Thanksgiving to Christmas holiday. Most of the goods featured are logical needs, that students from kindergarten through grad school might need, including:

• Clothing;

• Footwear;

• School supplies -- the traditional pencils, pens, paper, backpacks, and notebooks;

• Technology from thumb drives to smartphones, tablets and laptops;

• Dorm room essentials, such as bedding, bins, and decor.

What tips do you have for finding the best Back to School deals? If applicable, procure the list of school supplies your child’s teacher wants him/her to bring to class at the beginning of the school year. Start looking early and cast a wide net. As early as July, many stores and online retailers begin offering Back to School specials. Usually, they will feature different items each week in the lead-up to classes beginning, so if you have the luxury of starting to shop early, you can watch as specials on your list rotate in and out of the promotional calendar. The most desired supplies get depleted early, so shop early in the season and early in the week for the best selection. What back to school money saving tips do you have for parents?

• Before you start shopping, organize the school supplies left over from last year. Take stock of what you already have, and make a list of what you need to replenish this fall. Use this as a chance to organize. The easier it is to find what you have, the less you’ll need to buy.

• Have growing kids try on shoes and clothing from last year, to see what you can reuse.

• Donate or sell what you don’t need.

• Be flexible. Try not to fixate on a particular brand or retailer.

• Be a savvy shopper. Watch for deals online and in stores.

• Start early.

Deborah Colton Associate Professor of Marketing in the Saunders College of Business at the Rochester Institute of Technology What types of products are most likely to be discounted as part of a Back to School sales period? Parents can find deals on most Back to School items, but how much of a discount and the range of products discounted can vary. The staple school supplies such as pencils, paper, pens, markers and glue often are discounted heavily. Many retailers offer them at drastically reduced prices in order to attract shoppers, who will then purchase other items that may still be on sale, but at a smaller discount. What tips do you have for finding the best Back to School deals? The best deals can be found if you do your homework. Spend some time, 30 minutes or so, browsing online at the major retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target, Staples, OfficeMax, and Amazon, etc. Be sure to read the weekly insert in your newspaper, where you will find coupons and promotions that offer deep discounts for a limited time. Think outside of the box. Many consumers head straight to their favorite store, online or around the corner, believing they are going to save a lot. However, if someone really wants to find some unexpected deals, check out office supply stores, smaller online and traditional retailers. Sometimes, the best deals are found in unexpected places. What back to school money saving tips do you have for parents?

• Go with the list. Schools often provide a school supply list that details what the teachers require or prefer. Parents should stick to the list. Before heading out with the list, parents should search online and in newspaper inserts for deals. Match the list with deals from 1, 2 or even 3 stores (they are often located in close proximity). Spending less than half hour before heading to the store or going online can lead to substantial savings, 20% or more.

• Does a student need 36 pencils or 12? Teaming up with another family can allow parents to buy in bulk and save.

• Parents may be inclined to buy the generic version of every product to really save money. Although the wallet may be happier, it is best to keep to brand names your kids recognize for certain products. A child doesn’t want to be the only one with crayons collected from restaurants, or pencils from all the local businesses.

• Reuse. Check out your supplies at home. Do you have 24 pencils that would look like new if you just sharpened them? You don’t want to send your child to school with pencils half their original size, but you would be surprised how many have only been sharpened once. Re-sharpen to save some cash.

• Many kids like to pick out their own items. If the child goes along on the shopping trip, then be sure that the items not on the list are budgeted. For example, every kid likes to pick out their own book bag. However, the prices range from $15 to $150 or more. Give kids a budget. It helps the parental wallet, and teaches the child a little about money management. While the kids are on the shopping trip, give them a budgeted amount for the unexpected item they can’t live without, such as the triple-zipper pencil bag. By telling the child you have $5, $10 or $15 to spend on extras, they’ll be satisfied. Additionally, the parents won’t be forking out $50 on an entire bag full of extras.

Beibei (Bacy) Dong Associate Professor of Marketing in the College of Business & Economics at Lehigh University What types of products are most likely to be discounted as part of a Back to School sales period? Given it is Back to School season, products mostly consumed by students are often the popular ones on sale. For example, school supplies are usually the most popular category, followed by backpacks, lunchboxes, clothes, and electronics. Depending on the age of the students, the shopping needs may vary (e.g., school-aged kids may need more school supplies, backpacks, and lunchboxes, while college students are in greater need of electronic products). What tips do you have for finding the best Back to School deals?

• Be proactive. There are many websites now offering sign-ups for saving alerts. For any major shopping (e.g., electronics), plan ahead, sign-up for the alerts and wait for the deal.

• Online and offline. Most of the retailers offer Back to School deals both online and offline. Hence, avoiding the crowd in the store and comparing prices online (which becomes much easier than before) may offer a more convenient and effective way for shopping.

• Popular promotion. While lots of retailers constantly offer deals, some brands do not. For example, Apple rarely offers sales or discounts, and Back to School is one of the few times in the year Apple will. Hence, do not let these opportunities go.

What back to school money saving tips do you have for parents?

• Pick the right timing. Timing is important. Consumers generally make major shopping in August, and some could be as early as July. Depending on the products you purchase, for example, for electronics, you could buy early; but for school supplies, you can wait till late August, when the schools supply a list. Further, you could also wait until after the school year has started to complete the shopping, which may surprisingly give you a better deal (e.g., clearance sales), when retailers resort to deep discounting to empty the aisles of Back to School items and make way for Halloween merchandise.

• Make the shopping an important event. The Back to School shopping is more than regular shopping. It really signals the start of the new school year. The feeling of “having a new start” is very valuable to inspire students to make new plans, wish for new changes, and more importantly, implement those changes once the school year starts. Hence, getting a new backpack or a new lunchbox, or even new pencils and crayons could offer great tangibles to accompany these psychological processes. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to engage kids in this shopping experience, and cheer them on for a great new start.

• Do a closet sweep and create a list. Believe it or not, you might already have plenty of school supplies lying around your house. Start by rounding up all of the school supplies you already own. This is a perfect time to involve your kids and engage them in this fun and meaningful exercise. Ask them to search around the house and collect everything they find in a large bin. Then they can help make a list of what they have already have, and expand for the additional items they really need. This engaging exercise may be more important than checking inventory, it inspires the kids to be more responsible and take the ownership of the supplies.

• Set limits. In addition to involving kids in checking inventory, it is even more important to take this opportunity to help the kids develop money management skills at a young age. Tell them it is completely understandable that they crave all kinds of trendy and “character-based” products, but it is equivalently important that they have a budget in place, so they will use the money most wisely to buy the things of top priority to them. This will be another great experience for them to understand and espouse the values of budgeting, planning, and imperfection of life.

Balaji Krishnan Director of MBA Programs and Professor in the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management at the University of Memphis What types of products are most likely to be discounted as part of a Back to School sales period? Firstly, the timing of Back to School sales varies across countries, and even states in the U.S. For example, the Back to School sales in some southern states are earlier, as schools begin in August. However, most Back to School sales in the U.S. are associated with Labor Day, as schools begin after that day. Many southern states also provide a tax holiday on Back to School supplies, to give a boost to the Back to School sales. Initially, Back to School sales consisted of mainly pens, pencils, folders, binders, backpacks, shoes, and uniforms, which were stationery products to be used in classrooms. With the advent of technology, retailers have expanded it to include personal computers, laptops, tablets and even cell phones in some instances. Of course, peripherals, such as hard drives and printers are also sold as a part of the Back to School sales. Hence, the products sold have expanded in scope with the proliferation of tech products. What tips do you have for finding the best Back to School deals? Today more than ever, there are plenty of ways to get the best deals in Back to School sales. There are plenty of apps that allow you to list the things you need for your children, and find the best price for these products. Many shopping apps have a “Back to School” box or category. Interestingly, there are a number of apps which are also marketed as part of the Back to School season, and are available at a discount. These are typically educational apps, or apps related to monitoring or communicating with schoolgoing children. If apps are not to your liking, we have the “traditional” way of Googling the best Back to School deals. In some cases, a school district or school may be adopted by certain retailers, which will take the shopping worry away from parents. What back to school money saving tips do you have for parents?

• Most retailers have loss leaders, which they discount significantly. The logic of loss leaders suggests that there are other products that the retailers would like you to buy at full prices. During the Back to School season, it is critical for parents to have discipline and prepare a list of supplies they need, and stick to the list. It is not uncommon for parents to buy more than they intended because of shopping fever, or to indulge in impulse buying. This is possibly the most significant way to save money.

• Second, plan ahead. Don’t start the shopping process and then look for deals. List the products you want a week ahead, and you should be able to find the best deals online or in your city/town. Invariably, people start shopping too late, and pay a price for this delay.

• Third, stick to what is necessary. Buying something that is on sale that you may need “someday” is not the smartest way to shop. This is especially true when people are trying to take advantage of a tax holiday associated with Back to School sales.

from Wallet HubWallet Hub


via Finance Xpress