Back-to-school season is a lot like the holiday shopping season, with stores competing to provide the best deals on clothing, electronics, computers, backpacks and more. TechRadar offers a comprehensive list of the latest price cuts on everything a student might need before school starts again, including small appliances and furnishings ideal for the dorm room. It’s one of the best times of year to buy a new computer, printer, tablet or smartwatch, so even if you graduated years ago, you can shop the #deals now through the end of August and well into September. #BackToSchool
Tag: online shopping
Back-to-School Spending Set to Break Records
The National Retail Federation says back-to-school shopping will break records again this year, according to Forbes Advisor, at least in part due to price inflation. K–12 spending is expected to average $890 per student, up from $864 in 2022, and college students are expected to spend $1,367 each, surpassing last year’s $1,199. Fortunately for shoppers, several states are holding tax holidays during back-to-school season. If your state isn’t among them, big-box stores such as Target, Walmart and Sam’s Club are marking down essentials, and Amazon is offering 20% off school supplies. #BackToSchool
Super Bowl Ads Won’t Tell You Not to Shop
On the pro-consumerism side of the Super Bowl ads was Squarespace’s ode to small business, starring Zendaya as Sally, who went from selling seashells by the seashore to being a seashell-themed lifestyle brand thanks to online sales. Equally #stuff-friendly is the ad for cash-back shopping app Rakuten, which depicts a poker player betting personal belongings such as a vacuum cleaner and TV instead of poker chips. Nobody should buy more #stuff than they need just to get cash back, of course, so even if you like to shop, spend wisely and use the #declutterer’s rule of thumb: Eliminate two items for every new thing you bring in.
Shop Online to Give Experiential Gifts
You can avoid delivery delays (and save a lot of wrapping paper) if you buy the people on your #gift list an “experience” rather than a physical product. A short course from MasterClass might be in order if your giftee would like to learn a trade from a world-renowned luminary such as Martin Scorsese, James Patterson or Gordon Ramsey; a gift certificate from the local cooking school, massage therapist or maid service might also make a nice gift. Whatever you choose, most businesses can deliver a gift certificate via email, making your shopping almost effortless. #ShoppingTips
There’s Still Time to Score a Holiday Deal
Black Friday has come and gone, but there are still deals to be found on gifts as retailers scramble to supply shoppers in time for #Christmas. Amazon is offering “epic” daily deals and relatively reliable shipping times, and deal “trackers” such as TechRadar’s will help make sure you get the best price on that blender, air fryer or gaming console from the big-box stores. Handmade goods specialist Etsy offers a sale page if you’re looking for something a bit more whimsical and personalized, such as socks with your favorite dog’s face printed on them or a custom charcuterie board. #ShoppingTips