Best Back-to-School Sales 2025 at Major Retailers
As families get ready for another school year, big stores are using strong pricing plans to attract shoppers watching their budgets. With back-to-school spending expected to rise 3.3% to $33.3 billion this year, according to Coresight Research, stores are finding new ways to offer deals that deliver real savings.
Walmart starts strong with a clear promise: everything needed for the first day costs less than $65. The massive retailer has cut prices on 14 popular school supplies compared to last year, directly helping families struggling with inflation.
"We understand how important it is for families and teachers to save time and money when preparing for the school year," said Denise Incandela, Walmart U.S. executive vice president of fashion. "As the go-to destination for back-to-school shopping, we're proud to offer another year of incredible value — including school supplies, must-have styles and essentials."
Walmart's plan covers more than basic supplies. They've started Weekend Academy, a new tween clothing brand with most items under $15 and full outfits around $42. The company also built one-click shopping baskets after learning that more than half their customers wanted easier shopping experiences.
Target uses a different method by keeping prices the same. The Minneapolis-based retailer promises to hold 2024 pricing on select school products, bringing back last year's popular $5 backpack and 20 must-have supplies under $20. Target's new collection includes 35-cent notebooks and composition books starting at 50 cents.
RELATED: Target Launches 8 New Stores Across Six States This Summer
"This is such an important time for everyone preparing to head back to class — or heading off to school for the first time," said Target's Executive Vice President Rick Gomez. "The Target team will be there for families by holding last year's prices on key school supplies and standing tall for unrivaled style, quality and exceptional value."
Dollar stores are making bold moves too. Dollar General features over 70 items priced at $1 or less, including folders, notebooks, and composition books. Their $5 backpacks come in multiple styles, while Crayola products stay under $2.
RELATED: Dollar General Grows Private Label Line as Store Brands Reach $271B
"Whether you're a parent stocking up on supplies, a teacher preparing their classroom or a student getting ready for dorm living, we offer the essentials you need at prices that will help support a confident start to the school year," said Steve O'Brien, Dollar General's vice president.
Meijer enters the super-low pricing fight with more than two dozen essentials at $1 or less. Their best deals include 25-cent folders and glue sticks, plus 45-cent notebooks.
The timing works perfectly. Nearly 69% of shoppers say inflation will reduce their back-to-school spending this year, while 73% expect price increases due to supply chain problems. These store efforts show they're paying attention—and fighting hard for every dollar families spend this season.