Expert gives tips for back-to-school supply shopping

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Back-to-school shopping can be overwhelming at times, which is why retail experts say it’s best to come up with a game plan and do your homework before heading to the store.

Soon, millions of kids across North Carolina will be heading back into the classroom for the start of a new year.

Hitha Herzog, a retail expert and Chief Research Officer for H-Square Research, says that before parents start back-to-school shopping, they should get organized first. She suggests making a specific list of what you need so you don’t get distracted by the sales and deals being offered.

According to Herzog, parents can expect to spend the most amount of money on new technology. She suggests looking at prices at more than one major retailer, shopping second-hand for supplies, and taking advantage of technology like price-comparing apps to save money during the back-to-school season.

“A lot of retailers like Walmart, Target, and Amazon are in competition to try and get their customer base to shop with them, so really compare prices between the three of them. If you do have Amazon Prime, you can get increased discounts if you are shopping for back to school,” said Herzog.

Herzog also says that when it comes to shopping for school supplies, the sooner parents get started, the better. She says the uncertainty of tariffs is impacting the price of items.

“I tell parents to go out and get school supplies now. You run the risk of it being more expensive in just a couple of weeks, in two or three weeks. You also run the risk of it not being available. If you have your back-to-school supply list, be organized and go out and get them now.”

Herzog encourages people to look around their homes for items that can be used for school supplies before heading to the store. She noted that having the newest or most trendy item is not what matters most.

“School supplies should be something that every family should not only have, but is able to afford. One way that families can make sure that their children have those school supplies is really understanding that they don’t need to have the brand-new school supplies,” says Herzog. “It always feels good to have something brand new in your home, but we need to, as a collective consumer and shopper, understand that having something that is lightly used or second-hand or maybe even sitting in your home can equally be just as good. The most important thing is that your kids are ready for school, and they have the tools to prepare them to succeed.”

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