By Flugue Joseph Jr
Pens, pencils and backpacks are a staple for any retailer this time of year looking to cash in on the back-to-school rush. Labor Day is seen as one of the best times for the last-minute crowds to get what they need to start the year off strong.
Even retailers that don’t typically get flooded with business see an increase in sales. Reebok, with only one store left in all of New York State, at Tanger Outlets in Deer Park on Long Island, reported an increase of about $800 in sales over Labor Day last year.
However, some students say they have been deciding to hold off on back-to-school shopping this year. Those with a conservative budget may skip the deals, reusing what’s left of supplies from previous years to save money for more important endeavors, such as paying for textbooks whose prices continue to climb.
Jordan Gordon, an upper junior at Brooklyn College, decided on saving his money this year. “Honestly speaking, I didn’t really do back to school shopping. Aside from buying clothes, I typically have all my materials already at home, A couple of years ago, I went to Muji and I bought a lot of notebooks, a lot of pens. I still have leftovers, so I’m just using what I have leftover.”
Gary (who declined to give his last name), is a sophomore Brooklyn College on a budget. “I always go to like, really cheap, like 99 cent stores or sometimes Staples,” he said. “No Target or Walmart because like, I just think that’s pretty expensive … plus it’s really far, so it’s like, not really convenient. Online shopping, I do that sometimes. So mainly just 99 cent stores and Amazon.”
These college students probably do not represent all students.
Many young people still shop the outlets and big box stores. Tanger Outlets in Deer Park drew more than its standard number of customers, including city dwellers and suburbanites, over the Labor Day weekend. Big name brands are the first to reap the rewards of such spikes in traffic, with places like Nike and Adidas drawing in masses of people looking for backpacks and sneakers with apparel to match that will be put to the test for the coming school year.
Still, a number of students are being more conscientious of their spending. Nia, another Brooklyn college student, said she avoids the stores. “I’ll use Amazon sometimes, but only if I’m out of time before classes and I need to, like, get something real fast.”
Brick-and-mortar retailers may continue to face a tightening of the belt from spenders who, if they don’t feel like they are truly getting a good deal, will move on to the next place in search of better. Even cheap places like the 99 cent stores have moved on from the 99-cent price point, particularly chain stores such as Dollar Tree that has rebranded pricing to $1.25, and some items there being sold for as much as five dollars.
Price inflation, and tariffs continuing to rise, add to the urgency of getting discounted deals. For financially conscientious families, it is paramount.