• For Buyers
    • Retail News
    • Products & Suppliers
    • Ecommerce
    • Marketing & Management
    • Trade Show News
  • For Suppliers
    • Supplier News
    • Marketing & Management
    • Importing
    • Manufacturers
    • Warehousing
    • Finance
    • Show Exhibiting
  • Wholesale 101
  • Trade Show Calendar
  • Wholesale Products
  • New Suppliers
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Wednesday, February 8
  • Subscribe
  • Submit Content
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Advertise
    • Display Advertising
    • Email Marketing Campaigns
    • Newsletter Advertising
    • Sponsored Content
    • Lead Generation Services
  • Top Product Sources
Facebook Twitter Instagram
WholesaleCentral.com Blog
  • For Buyers
    • Retail News
    • Products & Suppliers
    • Ecommerce
    • Marketing & Management
    • Trade Show News
  • For Suppliers
    • Supplier News
    • Marketing & Management
    • Importing
    • Manufacturers
    • Warehousing
    • Finance
    • Show Exhibiting
  • Wholesale 101
  • Trade Show Calendar
  • Wholesale Products
  • New Suppliers
WholesaleCentral.com Blog
Home»For Buyers»Retail News»A+ Ideas for Back to School Promotions
Retail News

A+ Ideas for Back to School Promotions

PublisherBy PublisherMay 22, 20183 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Email
Share
Facebook Twitter Email
back to school

Back to school shopping is still largely done in stores because of the bonding experience school shopping creates between parent and child. Yet, many retailers are not capitalizing on this idea. For winter holidays, for example, many retailers host gift wrapping events, happy hour shopping, and pop-up markets. Yet, when was the last time you’ve seen an interactive back to school retail event? There is ample opportunity for retailers to draw in back to school shoppers with events, classes, and promotions.

Utilize School Lists

First and foremost; know what students in your area are required to buy. Get stocked up on the staples you know will sell. Many school PTA programs have options for parents to purchase directly through the PTA. See if you can partner with the PTA or get involved by offering some of your products at a discount in bulk or supplying coupons.

Have the different school lists ready and available at your store. Consider offering “pre-stuffed” backpacks filled with supplies or taking orders over the phone. To really make your store a one-stop-shop, partner with local daycare and tutoring services, sports programs, scout troops, and school clubs to offer sign-ups and registrations at your store. Anything you can do to simplify the process for busy parents and stressed educators will be well received.

Host Event Nights

Again, the back to school shopping process is all about experience and mentally transitioning into school mode. Hosting event nights such as trivia, movie screenings, or game nights are a great way to engage families, create memories, and move merchandise.

Hold Healthy Lunch Classes

Meal prepping, nutrition, and healthy meals on the go are all popular topics. Partner with a local nutritionist or chef to hold classes in your store on putting together healthy kid-friendly lunches. Interactive lessons get the whole family involved. Bonus points if you can incorporate items from your store in the demonstrations.

Hashtag Sweepstakes

For many, the product discovery journey starts online. More than ever kids and parents are inspired by products they see on social media. Ramp-up your digital presence and brand awareness by holding a giveaway contest on Instagram. There are several ways to execute this, but the most common is to have people share a themed photo with a specific hashtag. The winner would receive some type of back to school product bundle.

Home-Away-From-Home Care Packages

Back to school also means back to college. Many students spend the semester far from home. As an independent retailer, you likely carry items that are specific to your area, made by other locals, or represent your town. Craft bundles and care packages that are perfect gifts for students to remind them of home.

When planning out your events and sweepstakes, work with the audience that best fits your products. Back to school marketing tends to be all about the kids, but don’t forget about teachers who may be stressed with the start of a new school year, and parents who may be looking to celebrate having some more time to themselves. Back to school season is primetime for brick and mortar retailers. Play to your strengths and get creative to drive more local traffic to your store.

back to school management marketing May 2018 Issue shopping
Share. Facebook Twitter Email
Previous ArticleBack to School, Back to Stores: Why School Shopping Hasn’t Gone Digital
Next Article Back to School in Style with Made in USA Outerwear

Related Posts

Overstock Liquidations

January 25, 2023

5 Essential Tax Season Preparation Tips

January 24, 2023

Top 10 Closeout & Liquidation Suppliers

January 20, 2023
Sign Up for Buyer Updates
WholesaleCentral.com

Join the Buyer's Network

Get news & updates only for retailers.

Latest Posts

Overstock Liquidations

January 25, 2023

5 Essential Tax Season Preparation Tips

January 24, 2023

Top 10 Closeout & Liquidation Suppliers

January 20, 2023

Technology to Prepare Your Store for the Future

January 19, 2023

Best Video Marketing Tips for Retailers

January 19, 2023

Winning With General Merchandise

January 18, 2023
how-to
Product News

Overstock Liquidations

January 25, 20236 Mins Read

Overstock inventory refers to the excess goods or merchandise that a retailer has on hand…

Retail News

5 Essential Tax Season Preparation Tips

January 24, 202310 Mins Read

Are you ready for tax season? April 18 is approaching quickly, and many day-to-day decisions…

Wholesale 101 for Buyers

How to Create a Google Business Profile

January 18, 20236 Mins Read

Looking for new ways to get your brand noticed? Creating a Google Business Profile can…

Retail News

Using Color Theory in Window Displays to Increase Foot Traffic

December 1, 20224 Mins Read

by Melissa Stivale While we do not often stop to think about how much color…

  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Find Wholesale Sources
WholesaleCentral.com

Join the Buyer's Network

Get news & updates only for retailers.

Follow Us:

Copyright © 2023. Sumner Communications, Inc..

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.