Article by Abby Parks
Summer has been a blast, and it is not completely over…but before you know it (literally within 2-3 weeks), your kids will be back in school! Many of you may have ticked multiple back-to-school items off your list with the past tax-free weekend. But for those of you that still need certain items for your kids, whether it’s clothes, shoes, or school supplies, we’ve done some digging to help you find the best back-to-school deals happening right now at the major shopping stores in Calhoun County.
> Best One-Stop Shopping Deals
Some stores just have it all: supplies, clothes, shoes, furniture, electronics, and more. These super-retailers not only offer sales and good deals, but many have special check-lists for supplies based on what grade your child is in, suggestions for college students, and even help for school teachers.
Target
Located at the Oxford Exchange, Target is one of the best all-around stores to meet every back-to-school need. They’ve got a convenient School List Assist tool searchable by zip code to help you access the list of supplies your particular child’s school is requiring. They also have supplies subdivided so you can shop by grade:
Some of the deals include bargain supplies from $.25-$1.50 such as pencils, colored pencils, markers, pens, erasers, scissors, and notebooks. Other items available are backpacks, lunch bags, kids clothes and shoes, kids electronics, and water bottles.
If you’re on your way to college dorm life, some of the College Shop Deals feature 25% off dorm decor, bedding, bath essentials, storage, & more.
Finally, if you’re a school teacher, you can save 15% on select classroom supplies.
Walmart
Like Target, Walmart also features a Find Supply List search engine by entering the School Name, City, or Zip Code. While Target’s location is limited to Oxford, there are Walmarts in almost every major town in Calhoun County to cut down on travel. They also suggest school supplies by grade:
Walmart is also featuring supply suggestions based on price ranges:
And finally, Walmart offers resources for teachers to stock up on classroom supplies.
> More School Supplies
The all-in-one stores aren’t the only ones sporting school supplies sales. Here’s some additional places to find great deals on school necessities.
Office Max
Located in the Oxford Exchange, Office Max offers some teacher-friendly tools like a Supplies Checklist, Teacher Resources, and Teacher Rewards program. Teachers can get 20%, 30%, or 100% back on purchases with this Bonus Rewards Coupon. There are also savings of up to 60% off for student supplies. Like other stores, you can find appropriate items by grade:
Michael’s Arts and Crafts
Mark your calendars for the Grand Opening of the Michael’s Arts and Crafts store in the Oxford Commons on July 29! At that point, you can shop for Back-to-School deals till your heart’s content with all kinds of school, art, and craft supplies for teachers and students.
> Clothing and Shoe Sales
Select retail chains are offering sales on Back-to-School necessities for growing kids and teens like clothes and shoes, as well as other odds and ends.
JCPenney
Still a top retail store at Quintard Mall in Oxford, JCPenney has a Back-to-School clothing sale for children sizes toddlers thru juniors, plus backpacks and shoes. You can even schedule an appointment for $12 Kids Haircuts, an essential part of getting ready for school.
JCPenney also offers College Dorm Essentials including apartment essentials, study essentials, storage, and kitchen supplies, much of it $20 & under.
Kohl’s
For college-bound students, Kohl’s is not only offering Back-to-College Products, but they have also compiled a helpful Back-to-College Checklist to aid students in collecting all the necessary items before starting the fall semester.
And of course, there are savings to be had for students with sales of 25% off kids underwear and socks, 20% off backpacks, and 30% off uniforms.
Dick’s Sporting Goods
When making your rounds at the Oxford Exchange, you can check out Back-to-School Sales on select shoes and apparel at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Shoe Carnival
You can visit Shoe Carnival in the Oxford Exchange for all kinds of footwear options with their Back-to-School Shop event. There are multiple Coupon Codes for all kinds of Back-to-School savings.
Rack Room Shoes
Also at the Oxford Exchange, you can shop Rack Room Shoes for their shoe special–Buy One/Get 1 50% off. They’re also offering a coupon for $15 off a purchase of $99 or more, and have a sale on Nike items of up to 20% off.
Shoe Dept.
If you prefer Shoe Dept. at Quintard Mall, they are offering a Back-to-School Combo Deal of
$5 off each item when you buy specially tagged items ($26 and more) and Backpacks.
> Electronics
While there are plenty of electronics at some of the aforementioned larger retailers, what Back-to-School list would be complete without a shout out to…?
Best Buy
While their deals often change on a daily basis, Best Buy has Back-to-School Deals with discounts on items like laptops, tv’s, headphones, and more, and is currently featuring a computer desk and bike marked down. They, too, offer a helpful Back-to-School Checklist.
Whatever your particular needs may be, we hope that this guide will help you get that Back-to-School shopping out of the way early before the “big day” sneaks up!
