As summer winds down, families everywhere are gearing up for the start of a new school year. Back-to-school shopping is in full swing, and retailers are rolling out some of this year’s best deals. From school supplies and clothing to electronics and dorm essentials, now is the perfect time to enjoy great discounts and get everything your kids need for a successful year ahead.
In this article, we’ll dive into the back-to-school sales happening right now. We’ll highlight the top retailers offering amazing deals and share tips on how to maximize your savings. Whether you prefer to shop online or in-store, here are some tips and information to ensure you’re well-prepared to make the most of this year’s back-to-school bargains.
Understanding Back-to-School Sales
Back-to-school sales are annual promotions where retailers offer significant discounts on a wide range of products to help students and families prepare for the new academic year. These sales typically include deals on school supplies like notebooks, pens, and backpacks, as well as clothing, shoes, electronics, and dorm essentials for college students. Retailers aim to attract shoppers with competitive prices and special offers, making it a prime time for families to stock up on necessary items.
When Do Back-to-School Sales Start?
Back-to-school sales usually kick off in mid-to-late July and continue through August, with some promotions extending into early September. Retailers often start advertising their deals as early as June, allowing shoppers to plan and take advantage of the best discounts.
The peak of these sales typically occurs in the first two weeks of August, making it the perfect time to complete your back-to-school shopping list. Make sure to read our previous article for more details on what back-to-school sales generally mean and bring, as well as tips on how to maximize your savings during these sales.
Best Back-to-School Discounts Available Right Now
Since the new school year is not far away, many retailers have already launched their back-to-school sales, offering incredible discounts on essential items. From school supplies and clothing to electronics and dorm necessities, there are plenty of deals to take advantage of right now. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best back-to-school deals currently available to help you get everything you need at unbeatable prices.
Amazon
Amazon is offering up to 70% off on a wide variety of categories for back-to-school shopping. You can find incredible discounts on smartwatches, staplers, backpacks, clothing, stationery, and more. Keep in mind that these deals are valid for a limited time, so if something you need for the new school year is on sale, it might be best to act fast and get it. Here are some of the back-to-school deals running at Amazon these days:
- 50% off Rave Envy Mini Backpack – Rubber Ducky (sale price: $4.99, original price: $9.99)
- 50% off Bottle Bottle Kids’ 16 oz sports water bottle stainless steel (sale price: $10.99, original price: $21.99)
- 27% off Pentel EnerGel RTX Retractable Liquid Gel Pen, Pack of 5 (sale price: $13.22, original price: $18.00)
- 30% off Dotted Journal/Notebook (sale price: $4.89, original price: $6.99)
- 54% off Ubotie Portable Bluetooth Colorful Computer Keyboard (sale price: $25.98, original price: $55.99)
Apple
Apple’s education portal offers fantastic back-to-school deals. Additionally, students can take advantage of Apple’s educational discounts on Macs, iPads, and other essential devices. Here is what the store offers these days:
- A gift card of up to $150 with a Mac or iPad purchase
- A gift card of $100 with iPad Air/iPad Pro purchase
- A gift card of $100 with Mac mini
Carter’s
Carter’s Back-to-School Clearance Sale is now live, offering up to 70% off on a wide selection of items. From clothing and shoes to accessories and more, you can find fantastic deals to prepare your kids for the new school year. This is the perfect opportunity to refresh your child’s wardrobe with quality items at unbeatable prices. Here are some of the offers running these days:
- B1G2 Free on denim items
- 40% off activewear
- 70% off classic flip-flops (sale price: $2.39, original price: $8.00)
- 70% off Baby Strong Girls Squad Graphic Tee (sale price: $3.59, original price: $12.00)
- Polos and shorts from $5
JCPenney
JCPenney is offering fantastic back-to-school deals for students of all ages. Their dorm room sale includes major discounts of up to 50% off, plus an extra 35% off with a special code, perfect for those heading to college. Additionally, JCPenney’s back-to-school sale offers up to 55% off select styles, including clothing, shoes, and accessories. Here are some of this year’s deals:
- IZOD Little & Big Girls Scooter Skirt on sale for $10.49 with code DORMROOM (original price: $28.00)
- Thereabouts Little & Big Boys Short Sleeve Polo Shirt on sale for $5.99 with code DORMROOM (original price: $10.00)
- Thermos Upright W Flex-A-Guard Liner Lunch Bag on sale for $16.19 with code DORMROOM (original price: $30.00)
- Nike 3BRAND By Russell Wilson Mash Up Logo Backpack on sale for $29.99 (original price: $40.00)
Kohl’s
Kohl’s is gearing up for the new school year with impressive back-to-school deals. Enjoy significant discounts on clothing, shoes, backpacks, and school supplies. Plus, take advantage of Kohl’s Cash promotions and stackable coupons for even greater savings. Here are some of the offers included in the retailer’s back-to-school section:
- JanSport Big Student Backpack on sale for $44 (original price: $55)
- Nike Flex Runner 3 Toddler & Kids’ Shoes on sale for $37.50 (original price: $50.00)
- Boys 4-12 Jumping Beans Colorblock Polo on sale for $9.99 (original price: $12.99)
- Nike Court Borough Low Recraft Big Kids’ Shoes on sale for $45.97 (original price: $67.00)
- Kids Nike 6-pk. Dri-FIT Performance Quarter Socks on sale for $16 (original price: $20)
Nike
Nike is offering great back-to-school deals with an extra 25% off using the code EXTRA25. This is the perfect time to stock up on high-quality athletic wear, shoes, and accessories for the upco
- 23% off Nike Heritage Kids’ Backpack (25L) (sale price:$31.97, original price: $42.00)
- 24% off Nike Dunk Low Big Kids’ Shoes (sale price: $75.97, original price: $100)
- 30% off Nike Sportswear Tech Fleece Big Kids’ (Boys’) Full-Zip Hoodie (sale price: $72.97, original price: $105)
For all the above-mentioned items, you can benefit from an extra 25% off with code EXTRA25.
Nordstrom
Nordstrom’s kids’ section now features a dedicated back-to-school subsection with a variety of exciting deals. From clothing and shoes to backpacks and accessories, you can find many items your child needs for the new school year. Take advantage of these special offers to ensure your kids are stylishly and comfortably prepared for their return to school. Here are some of them:
- Up to 24% off Nike Kids’ Blazer Low ’77 Low Top Sneaker (Big Kid)
- Up to 35% off Nike Kids’ Air Max 1 EasyOn Sneaker (Baby, Walker, Toddler & Little Kid)
- 25% off Bobo Choses Kids’ Fireworks Organic Cotton Graphic T-Shirt (Toddler, Little Kid & Big Kid)
Staples
Staples is your one-stop shop for all your back-to-school needs, offering a wide range of standard school supplies and more. With prices starting at just 35 cents, you can find great deals on markers, binders, paper, scissors, disinfecting wipes, and much more. Stock up on essential items at unbeatable prices to ensure your kids are ready for the new school year. Here are some of this year’s offers:
- Folders as low as $0.35
- Pencils as low as $0.50
- Binders as low as $2.99
- Backpacks as low as $19.99
- Markers as low as $0.99
Target
Target has everything you need for back-to-school shopping with a variety of school supplies, kids’ uniforms, backpacks, and lunch boxes. Select items are available for under $1, making it easy to stock up on essentials without breaking the bank. Take advantage of these great deals to get your kids ready for the new school year at fantastic prices.
- Kids’ uniforms from just $5
- Backpacks and lunch boxes from $5
- Water bottles from $9.99
- Kids’ shoes from $9.99
- Kids’ clothing from $6
What Other Deals to Expect from Back-to-School Sales in 2024
Back-to-school sales in 2024 are shaping up to offer fantastic deals across a wide range of products. Retailers are competing to provide the best discounts on everything from school supplies and clothing to electronics and dorm essentials. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect from some other top retailers:
Best Buy
- Up to $150 off on laptops and tablets.
- Discounts on printers and other school-related electronics.
- Bundle deals on tech accessories like headphones and chargers.
Gap
- Up to 40% off on back-to-school apparel.
- Bundle deals on basics like t-shirts and jeans.
- Exclusive online deals and free shipping offers.
Macy’s
- Up to 25% off on kids’ clothing and shoes.
- Special back-to-school events with additional savings.
- Discounts on dorm essentials like bedding and decor.
Office Depot/OfficeMax
- Buy one, get one free on select school supplies.
- Up to 30% off on desks and chairs.
- Tech deals, including discounts on laptops and software.
Old Navy
- Up to 50% off on kids’ and teens’ clothing.
- Special offers on uniform essentials.
- Additional savings with Old Navy cardholder promotions.
Walmart
- Rollbacks on school essentials, with prices starting at $0.50.
- Up to 20% off on backpacks and lunchboxes.
- Discounts on tech items like Chromebooks and calculators.
Keep an eye out for additional promotions and flash sales throughout the season to maximize your savings. For instance, at the time of writing, The Children’s Place runs a flash sale, offering 50% off + a free polo with a $50 purchase. Code FREE is required.
As the new school year approaches, now is the perfect time to take advantage of the fantastic back-to-school deals offered by various retailers. From Amazon’s extensive discounts to Apple’s educational offers, and from Carter’s clearance sales to Kohl’s stackable savings, there are noteworthy deals available for many needs. By shopping these deals, you can ensure your children are well-prepared and stylish for the upcoming school year, all while staying within your budget. Happy back-to-school shopping!






