Ways to save on back to school clothing shopping
NEW YORK (AP) >> Varsity-inspired cardigans. Preppy layers. Satin bomber jackets. There are plenty of fashion trends that experts say should help pique shoppers’ interest for the back-toschool season. That could provide a sales bounce for retailers after last year’s dearth of mainstream looks hurt business. The trick for shoppers: taking advantage of timing and tools to stay within a budget.
In the second most-important season for retailers behind the winter holidays, families with children from kindergarten to 12th grade plan to spend an average of $673.57 on clothing, accessories, electronics, shoes and school supplies.
That’s up nearly 7 percent from last year, according to the National Retail Federation. The group surveyed nearly 7,000 consumers from June 30 through July 6 about their plans.
Even though that survey showed signs that parents are less worried about the economy, stores are still pushing fat discounts. Some analysts say the back-toschool shopping time had a slow start, with people in no hurry to buy.
Last-minute purchasing is a trend retailers have been seeing for back-toschool and the winter holidays for the past several years as mobile phones give shoppers more freedom and options.
Experts say when planning back-to-school buying, it’s smart to research the new looks and take stock of what’s already in the closet.
Here are ways to save money on back-to-school buying:
If a growth spurt doesn’t necessitate buying everything new, focus on a few items and take advantage of help from retailers. J.C. Penney’s online site has a section called “Outfits You Love” that suggests ways to mix eight items to create two weeks of looks. “It’s fashion math,” says Liebmann. “It gives the feeling of lots of choices.”
It’s easier than ever to check prices to make sure you’re getting the best deal. One site, camelcamelcamel. com, monitors prices on millions of Amazon.com products and sends alerts when prices drop.
Apps like RedLaser and PriceJump let shoppers scan an item to see if there’s a better price online.
Back-to-school discounts have already started, but the trick is knowing the best time to grab certain items.
For summer clothes like short-sleeve tops, wait until the last week of August and the first week of September to reap the biggest discounts, says Benjamin Glaser, editor of DealNews, a deal comparison website.
For fall clothes, try to buy the first week of October. For jeans, he says to buy later in October for the largest savings.
In years past, Glaser says he’s seen brands like Lucky, Levi’s and Nautica cut prices by 40 percent to 60 percent during October, with few restrictions.
Stock up on items like socks and hoodies. Target’s new Cat & Jack line for kids has offered $4 tank tops for girls online. Gap’s Old Navy has up to 60 percent off with styles starting from $4. Old Navy is offering deep price cuts on hooded sweatshirts, selling for around $12, that Andres Dorronsoro, general manager at Old Navy merchandising for the kids’ division, calls “extra cozy.” Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has basic T-shirts for boys for just under $3 and leggings for girls for just under $4.