(BPT) - It's that time of year again - time to trade summer break for
lunch break, road trips for recess and home in bed for homework
instead. Yes, back to school is in full swing and if your kids are
going to start another year, they need the latest gear. Here are the
five hottest trends in back to school this year so your team can
head off to class with a pass:
Positive impact is king
This back-to-school season, Staples and Me to We, a
social enterprise that provides people with better choices
for a better world, are making socially conscious shopping
easy with a new line of eco-friendly school supplies. Each
product provides a life-changing impact in a developing
It's not just the price, it's the deal
community where Me to We's partner, Free the Children,
works. The exclusive Me to We Collection includes
Costs are rising everywhere and salary rarely keeps up. That puts notebooks, composition books, binders, portfolios,
cost-efficient solutions at the forefront again this year. Parents are backpacks, pencil pouches and more that will help make a
looking for affordable options that are also quality deals and the
difference.
best price will result in a buy more often than not.
eCommerce sales continue to grow
Designed by students
In 2011, businesses reported retail eCommerce sales of
From homework and lunch to lockers and backpacks, the Staples $31.98 billion and the market has grown roughly 15
Designed by Students Collection includes tools designed by actual percent every year since then. This year back-to-school
students that help to address common classroom needs. The Big eCommerce sales are expected to top $56.35 billion. For
Pen, for example, is a writing instrument and pencil case all-in-one consumers, brick and mortar stores remain a useful tool
and the Big Props Pencil Case doubles as a tablet stand. The
when they need helpful advice or to compare options sideSuper Folder includes storage areas, a zipper pouch, clear pockets by-side and 78 percent of surveyed parents say they do
for class schedules, a pencil sharpener, sticky notes and a writing most or all of their shopping in physical stores. However
pad. Any of these options are perfect for kids on the go. The
eCommerce sites are gaining popularity in part because
colorful Portable Desk (pictured) has a smooth writing surface with they present the opportunity to order the necessary
interior compartments for notebook and pencil storage plus a side supplies easily while managing other back to school
slot for headphones and power cords.
preparations.
Shopping starts mid-summer
The 2015-16 school year will be like no other and the same
can be said for the back-to-school season that precedes it.
Black Friday it's not. Parents don't start their back-to-school
By capitalizing on the trends of this season, you'll set your
shopping the day after the previous school year ends but research students up for an entire school year of success in the
shows they don't wait until the last minute either. Fifty-three percent months ahead. To find all of the back-to- school supplies
of surveyed parents say purchasing supplies one month before the you need, visit Staples.com/backtoschool.
start of the school year is the optimal time according to research
from Staples.
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