Back to School Shopping: Buyers Guide

Back to School season is a time when retailers, supermarkets and high street stores offer a wide range of discounted school supplies. From school uniforms, bags and shoes to stationery and laptops, there are plenty of deals and promotions available. To make the most of your back to school shopping and get the best prices, it's important to shop around and take advantage of the seasonal discounts offered at the end of the summer holidays.

Getting ready for the new school year can be an expensive time, particularly if you're shopping for more than one child. This buyer's guide is here to help you navigate the back-to-school season and save money. We'll provide you with some valuable tips on finding the best deals, offers, and sales, so you can prepare for the school year without breaking the bank.

Where to Shop for Back to School Deals

Most large UK retailers who sell stationery and clothing will make an effort to attract parents at the end of the summer holidays. If you need to replenish your children’s supplies but want to get the best deals, it’s worth shopping around to see what the major stores have on offer.

• John Lewis provides a comprehensive back to school checklist and quality products, including uniforms, outerwear, sports clothes and extras like stationery.

• Asda offers a wide range of discounted products during their Roll Back event with school uniforms, bags, sports kits and shoes all on offer as individual items or multipacks. Other deals include reductions on stationery, printers, SD cards and laptops.

• Amazon has a dedicated Back to School store with competitive pricing on a range of supplies, including clothing, stationery, technology and more.

• Debenhams focuses on clothing, with school uniforms, shoes and coats all being offered in the store's ‘School Uniform’ section. On this front page, you can browse the many back to school sales offers which include multipacks of underwear, socks, trousers, skirts and shirts.

• Clarks is your go-to for high-quality shoes, with selected back to school options available under £40. Due to the build quality, Clarks shoes can be expensive, however you may also be able to find some further discounts on Clarks school shoes at Clarks Outlet.

• Microsoft provides free delivery and returns on back-to-school tech, along with savings on laptops and software.

Which Back to School Essentials to Budget For

For parents, the late summer shopping spree is matched only by Christmas and Black Friday in terms of spending. However, if you plan ahead, you can get the most essential supplies in place by the end of August without breaking the bank. Here are a few essentials to include in your budget.

• Backpacks – When it comes to carrying study books, writing books, pens, and other supplies, the weight can add up, especially in college where laptops are often necessary. Whether you need a waterproof, rugged, or simple backpack, Sports Direct offers a wide selection of discounted options for back to school.

• Stationery and Books - Children get through stationery quickly and replenishing their supplies of rulers, rubbers, sharpeners and pens can be expensive. A great place to start looking is The Works, which has an in-house range of discounted books, notepads and pens, as well as huge savings on selected brands.

• Shoes - It is difficult to compromise on the quality of children’s shoes because well-fitted footwear keeps their feet comfortable and healthy. For the chance of sizeable discounts on the Clarks kids range, you could browse their Clarks Outlet store or see what’s available at other high street retailers at lower prices.

• Uniform - Blazers, PE kits, and jumpers are often the most expensive items on a school uniform checklist, as they typically need to be purchased from the school or specific local shops. To save money on these items, consider buying second-hand from other parents or waiting for the school to reduce prices on older stock.

• Clothes - Supermarkets like Asda, Tesco, and Sainsbury's offer reasonably priced school clothing items such as trousers, skirts, and shirts in the colours required by local schools. Having a few sets of each item helps minimise daily laundry.

• Laptops - In today's digital age, laptops have become essential tools for schoolwork. Finding the right laptop at a reasonable price can make a significant difference. Look for deals at reputable electronics retailers like Currys, Argos and Amazon, where you can often find discounted laptops that meet the requirements for school.

• Other School Essentials - Consider investing in durable stainless-steel water bottles and soft padded lunch boxes which can handle the wear and tear of the academic year. These don’t take up a lot of room and can be bought at any time of year when stores have reductions or end of line discounts.

How to Get Back to School Ready for Less

From back to school bags to stationery and pencil cases, a checklist of supplies can seem endless. The good news is you don’t need to pay the full price for everything, as there are many ways to save money on the essentials.

1. Measure your children before buying their uniform – Many stores have measuring charts which you can use to pick out the right size when you know their measurements. Not all children fit the standard clothing manufacturers size for their age, so you can always buy slightly larger size, so there is room for them to feel comfortable and to grow.

2. Write a list and stick to it – When you have established the necessary school supplies you need to buy, get them down in a list. This can help you avoid being tempted by pen sets that might be handy or extra lunch boxes with their favourite superhero.

3. Search your house to see what you already have – Before heading out with your list, it's a good idea to check if you have any school supplies are leftover from last year that can be reused. Take advantage of what you may already have to save money and reduce waste.

4. Bulk buying can deliver long-term savings – When you compare the cost of buying individual items versus purchasing multipacks or taking advantage of 'buy one get one free' offers, the long-term savings can be significant. While it may feel excessive to bulk buy school supplies, if you have the storage space available, it can lead to substantial savings.

5. Avoid getting everything you need on one trip – Stores create discounts on back to school shopping at various times over the summer break. To maximise your savings, get what you need when it’s reduced and come back for the rest later.

6. Wait until the last few days of the summer break – Leaving your back to school shop until the last minute can be a bit of a gamble, but shops are usually overstocked that it pays off. If you can wait it out, supermarkets are keen to clear away all the academic stock at a significant discount by the end of August to make way for new seasonal products.

7. Buy in advance – This one involves a degree of extra spending, but it will help you make the most of any final reductions. By stocking up for the next academic year during this year’s event, you can get the best prices and keep your school supplies stored at home until they are needed.

8. Use price matching promises to save time – Buying a costly laptop or MacBook can be stressful, especially if you don’t have much time to shop around. This is why some retailers, including Currys and John Lewis have price-matching offers. Just remember there are rules that you’ll have to stick to claim your money back, so check the terms before you buy.

9. Shop alone - Trips out that involve buying new back to school stationery or bags may be exciting for kids and can help them get in the right frame of mind for starting the new year, however, there is a risk of going off budget. If possible, consider shopping on your own or agree on what you’ll be buying beforehand to avoid overspending.