Take full advantage of the second busiest buying period of the year, back-to-school time. Second only to Christmas, the National Retail Federation reported that this year’s spending is expected to bring in $47.5 billion. Kids of all ages will be out in search of the latest fashions and trends ranging from pens to jeans. Make sure your store is fully prepared for the season.
With the economy, families are still looking for value when they shop. You will want to appeal to kids’ wants and parents’ pocketbooks. The National Retail Federation also reported that families are more likely to reuse items instead of replacing them, such as book bags. We recommend featuring products that have to be purchased new every year such as notebooks and planners.
The National Retail Federation also expects an 11% hike in electronic sales compared to last year. This shows that families are willing to pay a little more for the latest trends in technology. Don’t be afraid to highlight these items just because they are more expensive than folders.
Also keep in mind different products for college students. Parents are willing to spend more money to ensure that their student who is leaving home for the first time has everything they could possibly need, including laptops, flash drives, power strips, cleaning supplies, first aid kits, alarm clocks, rugs, cooking supplies, towels, linens (extra long to fit dorm beds) and gift cards.
Now is the time to get back-to-school merchandise out on the shelves and the sooner the better! Prepare your store as well as your employees for a busy, profitable season.
How does your store prepare for the back-to-school season?
Tags: back-to-school, Displays, tuesday tips
