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Summer's here, and it's a good time to start thinking about Back to School shopping. Whether your kids are in middle school or heading off to college, they'll need basic school supplies, new clothes, and laptops for the new school year. Sending your kids back to school can get pricey, so it's smart to hunt for the best Back to School sales. We're breaking down how to save on your Back to School shopping list in 2024. After you're done, check out our articles on the best school supplies to buy and the best places to buy them. Learn about the best sales today.

When Does Back to School Sales 2024 Start?

Back to School sales dates usually kick off in early July and run until late August in 2024. Some sales might even stretch into September if you need last-minute items. Here’s what the sales timeline looked like for major retailers a few years ago:

Target began its sales on July 14 and ended on August 11. It's a good window for most shoppers, but early or late shoppers might miss out on the deals.
Best Buy student discount kicked off on July 8, adding new items every couple of weeks and wrapping up in late August.
Amazon started its Back to School sales on July 6, with new deals popping up weekly until September 26. They were the first to start and will likely follow a similar pattern this year.

Back to School shoppers should also keep an eye on Amazon Prime Day in July. While it's not specifically for Back to School, you can snag some great bargains, especially on Kindle or Echo devices, which usually have their best prices of the year on Prime Day. Amazon also has shopping guides for Back to School and Off to College. Wherever you shop, expect sales to be in full swing by mid-July. Some stores might launch all their deals at once, while others will rotate deals weekly, so you'll see different sales depending on when you shop.

Back to School Sales on Clothes and Shoes

Back to School Sales on Clothes and Shoes

Image Source: Family Education

Time to gear up the kids for the new school year with some cool clothing, athletic wear, and shoes that (hopefully) last all year. Whether you’ve got little ones outgrowing their clothes or college kids into fashion, these Back to School sales are here to help. Expect some awesome deals, with many retailers offering half off or even better. Check out these clothing deals from various brands:

The Children’s Place: Up to 60% off
Old Navy and Gap: Up to 50% off
Nordstrom: Up to 60% off
Kohl’s: Up to 80% off
JCPenney: Up to 65% off
Amazon: Up to 50% off

Target and Walmart are also good spots, with individual pieces starting around $10. If you’re a Kohl’s regular, don’t forget about Kohl’s Cash for some extra savings.

For activewear, sports gear, and sneakers, here are some discounts:

Reebok: Up to 40% off
PUMA: Up to 60% off
Nike: Up to 50% off
Dick’s Sporting Goods: Up to 50% off
Adidas: Up to 30% off
Academy Sports & Outdoors: Up to 50% off

Read More: Target Back to School Sale 2024: Best Deals and When to Shop

Back to School Sales on School Supplies

Back to School Sales on School Supplies

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Need pens, notebooks, and other school supplies? Now’s the time to stock up, with everyday school supplies going for up to 85% off. Check these retailers for great deals:

Alpha Omega Publications: Up to 50% off
Target: Up to 85% off
Staples: Up to 78% off
Office Depot and OfficeMax: Up to 60% off
Amazon: Up to 60% off

You can snag many basics for under $1 each, like a 10-pack of pens or a composition notebook. If you see a good deal, grab it!

Back to School Sales on Backpacks and Lunch Boxes

Getting a good backpack is essential for all those school supplies, but prices can really vary. A couple of years ago, basic backpacks were starting at $10 at Walmart, while Target had a deal where you could get a backpack with a lunch box, water bottle, pencil case, and more for $20. There's a wide range of styles and features out there. For sportier or tougher backpacks, check out Academy Sports & Outdoors or Columbia. You can usually find things like lunch boxes and pencil cases at the same stores. If you can wait for better deals, you might see bigger discounts on backpacks in late September, after kids are back in school. If your kid's current backpack is still in good shape, it might be worth holding off and looking for price drops after the back-to-school rush.

Back to School Sales for the Dorm Room

If your college kid is moving into the dorms this fall, they'll probably need stuff like bedding, furniture, and accessories for their new place. Furnishing a dorm room can get expensive, so keep an eye out for sales.

Last year, we saw deals at JCPenney (up to 65% off), Kohl's (up to 25% off), and Target (up to 30% off) on home goods like bedding, cookware, and other items perfect for setting up a dorm room.

Read More: Costco Back to School Sale 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

Back to School Sales on Laptops and Tablets

Hey, it's that time of year again! If you're a student, you'll probably need a computer for the upcoming school year. Good news: Back to School sales are a great time to grab some awesome deals on desktops, laptops, and tablets. You can find major-brand laptops and tablets for a few hundred bucks off. And don't sleep on refurbished models—they can be just as good as new and even cheaper. Last year, HP had some killer deals, slashing prices up to 77%, plus an extra 5% off select items over $599 and an extra 10% off select items over $1,099. Other brands were in on the action too, with Lenovo devices up to 68% off and Dell refurbished computers up to 50% off. Big electronics stores like Best Buy, B&H Photo Video, and Newegg also had some sweet discounts, up to $200, $500, and 75% off, respectively.

Apple stuff is always in demand, but don't expect the best deals directly from them—they usually give discounts in the form of gift cards. In 2022, places like Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo Video had solid discounts on iPads and MacBooks, with up to $300 off. And hey, you'll probably need some software too. Luckily, there are some great education discounts and freebies out there. Students can score over 60% off Adobe Creative Cloud and get Office 365 for free.

Here are some more deals to check out:

All4Cellular: Up to 65% off
Aquasana: Up to 65% off
Adidas Cases: Up to 55% off
Apos Audio: Up to 45% off
Antennas Direct: Up to 45% off
Air Filters Delivered: Up to 65% off
Annke: Up to 40% off

Conclusion

The 2024 back-to-school sales season has been marked by dynamic trends and a competitive market landscape, reflecting broader economic conditions and evolving consumer behaviors. Retailers have leveraged both traditional and innovative strategies to attract customers, offering significant discounts, special promotions, and a seamless blend of online and in-store shopping experiences. This year's sales have seen a notable emphasis on technology and digital learning tools, a trend driven by the increasing integration of tech in education. Parents and students are prioritizing laptops, tablets, and other digital devices alongside conventional school supplies. Additionally, sustainability has emerged as a critical factor, with eco-friendly products gaining popularity and retailers responding with more sustainable options.