Summer is in full swing, which means it’s time to start thinking about back-to-school shopping. Whether you have kids in middle school or college students heading to dorms, it’s essential to gear up with school supplies, new clothes, and tech essentials for the upcoming academic year.
With so many items on your list, back-to-school shopping can get pricey. That’s why finding the best sales is crucial. Here’s a guide to help you save on your back-to-school essentials in 2024. Once you’ve read through, check out our tips on the best school supplies to buy and the best places to shop.
Top Back to School Sales to Check Out Now
- Amazon: Save up to 70% on various categories including smartwatches, backpacks, clothing, and stationery.
- Apple: While direct discounts are rare, shopping through the education portal could get you up to $150 in gift cards with certain purchases.
- Carter’s: Take advantage of up to 70% off in Carter’s Back to School Clearance sale.
- Kohl’s: Refresh your kids’ wardrobes with up to 50% off, plus an additional 20% off with the code “20SAVE.” Earn $10 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent.
- Nike: Enjoy up to 40% off select Jordan styles, and Nike members can use the code “SPORT25” for an extra 25% off.
- Nordstrom Rack: Score up to 75% off select backpacks.
- Staples: Shop basic school supplies starting at just 35 cents, including markers, binders, paper, and more.
- Target: Find a variety of school supplies, with items under $1. Kids’ uniforms start at $4, and backpacks and lunch boxes start at $5.
- Walmart: Get up to 70% off select school supplies, with prices starting under $1 on items like laptops, binders, and backpacks.
- Woot!: If you need dorm or apartment supplies, shop for mini fridges and other essentials starting at $85. Items are selling out fast, so don’t wait.
When Do Back to School Sales Start?
Expect back-to-school sales to kick off in early July and run through late August, with some extending into September. Here’s a quick look at when major retailers started their sales in 2022:
- Amazon: Sales began on July 6, with new deals weekly until September, wrapping up on September 26.
- Best Buy: Sales started on July 8, with rotating deals every two weeks, ending in late August.
- Target: Sales ran from July 14 to August 11, covering most of the summer shopping period.
Amazon Prime Day in July is another great opportunity to find back-to-school bargains, especially on Kindle and Echo devices. Many sales will be live by mid-July, with some retailers rotating their offers weekly, so you might see different deals depending on when you shop.
What to Expect from Back to School Sales in 2024
Back-to-school season offers deep discounts on essentials, with some items up to 85% off. However, typical savings range from 30% to 50%.
Clothing and Shoes
Prepare your kids for the new school year with fresh clothes and shoes. Back-to-school clothing sales often offer significant discounts, especially on kids’ apparel. Expect deals like:
- Amazon: Up to 50% off
- JCPenney: Up to 65% off
- Kohl’s: Up to 80% off
- Nordstrom: Up to 60% off
- Old Navy and Gap: Up to 50% off
- The Children’s Place: Up to 60% off
Target and Walmart also offer great deals, with prices starting around $10. For sportswear and sneakers, check out sales from:
- Academy Sports & Outdoors: Up to 50% off
- adidas: Up to 30% off
- Nike: Up to 50% off
- Reebok: Up to 40% off
Backpacks and Lunch Boxes
A sturdy backpack is essential for carrying school supplies. Prices range widely, with basic options starting at $10 from Walmart. Target has bundles that include backpacks, lunch boxes, and more for around $20. If you’re looking for durable or sportier options, check out Academy Sports & Outdoors or Columbia.
If your child’s current backpack can last a bit longer, waiting for late September might yield even better discounts after the back-to-school rush.
Laptops and Tablets
Laptops and tablets are must-haves for students. Back-to-school sales offer significant savings on these items, with discounts on major brands. Look for:
- HP: Up to 77% off select products, plus additional discounts.
- Lenovo: Up to 68% off
- Dell: Up to 50% off refurbished models
- Best Buy: Up to $200 off
- B&H Photo Video: Up to $500 off
- Newegg: Up to 75% off
Apple products usually see gift card bonuses rather than direct discounts, but you can find deals of up to $300 off from Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo Video.
For software, students can take advantage of education discounts, like over 60% off Adobe Creative Cloud and free Office 365.
School Supplies
Stock up on pens, notebooks, and other essentials during back-to-school season, with discounts up to 85%. Retailers like Amazon, Staples, and Target offer great deals on basics like:
- Amazon: Up to 60% off
- Office Depot and OfficeMax: Up to 60% off
- Staples: Up to 78% off
- Target: Up to 85% off
Many of these items are priced under $1, so grab them while you can!