Education Law

Back to school slump

We hate to be the (continued) bearers of bad news, but as BoardBuzz has told you before pennies are tight all over the place. And now USA Today is telling us (so really, they're the bearers of the bad news, not us) that back-to-school shopping is strapping folks as well.

There will be fewer new backpacks. Fewer mall trips. Fewer electronics. Some are cutting back even on basic school supplies such as pencils, pens and paper.

USA TODAY looked closely at the back-to-school shopping plans of 10 families and found one clear common thread: They are trying to be creative in finding ways to cut back-to-school costs. Such as having kids try on all of last year's duds before shopping, tracking down used textbooks and taking needle and thread to the holes in last year's backpacks.

Maybe it's the back-to-school from hell. It certainly is shaping up as one filled with shopping negotiations between parents and kids. But it's also dotted with cleverly calculated savings steps, some of which may stick around after the economic knot loosens.

What's most interesting to BoardBuzz is that, like school districts, now parents are doing their level best to find creative ways to manage their budgets. Looks like lean times all around. And retailers are responding in kind.

It's why Staples tried to lure consumers in this month by selling pencils for a penny and protractors for a nickel. "Consumers are telling us, more than anything they want value," says John Mahoney, chief financial officer.

At American Eagle Outfitters, some $29.50 fashion T-shirts now are less than $20. The chain hopes the message to shoppers is, "When you get to the store, steal this," says Henry Stafford, merchandising chief.

Many purchases will be the result of spirited family horse-trading.

"When I speak with kids, they keep talking about negotiating with their parents," Marshal Cohen says. "If they get one pair of designer jeans at the mall, they're willing to get everything else at Target."

Check out the article for more information and tips from USA Today readers for saving money on much needed back-to-school supplies.

Full post as published by BoardBuzz: NSBA's Daily Weblog on July 30, 2008 (boomark / email).