According to the National Retail Federation, back-to-school and back-to-college spending is expected to reach $82.8 Billion this year. Our very own PebblePost interns will be heading back to campus in a few weeks, so we asked them to share their plans and offer insight into current seasonal trends. In Part 1 of our series, we introduced you to four of our awesome interns — now, meet four more! Find out how Paola, Raven, Zach, and Milly are preparing for the fall semester.
Paola
Loyola Marymount University
Class of 2019
Sales & Account Strategy Intern
When do you plan to start back-to-school shopping?
I plan to start and finish back-to-school shopping in August and early September.
What are the top items on your back-to-school shopping list?
My top back-to-school items this year aside from the basic notebooks, pens, pencils, and textbooks are actually household items and furniture. This upcoming year I am moving into a house off-campus so I'll need to get typical kitchen household items, such as pots and pans, and also bedroom furniture.
How important are sales and discounts for back-to-school shopping?
Sales and discounts are great when going back-to-school shopping, I love a good deal! I definitely wait for coupons, offers, or promotions and will seek out sales, especially this time around.
Raven
Pace University
Class of 2019
Sales Intern
*Raven has been a PebblePost intern since 2016!
When do you plan to start back-to-school shopping?
I plan on starting and ending in late-August
What are the top items on your back-to-school shopping list?
Jeans are at the top of my shopping list.
How important are sales and discounts for back-to-school shopping?
Very important. Because sales are so common at that time, I'll wait to shop until I see one.
Zachary
Harvard College
Class of 2019
Sales Intern
When do you plan to start back-to-school shopping?
I’d say that most of my back-to-school shopping takes place on an ad-hoc basis – like, realizing the day before class that I need a new notebook, or some new pens, or some sticky flags etc. In all, I’ll likely start when I arrive on campus and try to wrap up two weeks into the semester.
What are the top items on your back-to-school shopping list?
Primarily books and school supplies. I might get some new clothes or a new pair of shoes, but unlike a work environment, college doesn’t really have a dress code so I don’t feel pressed. For my apartment, I’ll use décor that I have collected over the years, unless something really catches my eye in the city. But those are definitely impulsive buys.
How important are sales and discounts for back-to-school shopping?
I do not look for coupons, discounts, or promotions, mainly because my purchases are pretty small and often time-sensitive — needing a notebook for class, for example. Sometimes, if a favorite brand is having a Labor Day sale, I will try to grab a nice deal before school, but these purchases are near the bottom of the shopping list.
Milly
Baruch College
Class of 2018
Product Intern
When do you plan to start back-to-school shopping?
I usually start pretty late — sometime during the first week of school! Since I go to school in the city, my usual stores are just a short walk from campus and it's easier to simply pick up all my supplies in one go after class.
What are the top items on your back-to-school shopping list?
My shopping list is relatively simple. I love Muji, so I'll buy notebooks and pens from there if I'm running low. For my math classes, I'll get Five Star spiral notebooks and correctional tape from Staples. I don't really buy clothes specifically for going back to school as I usually disperse clothing shopping throughout the year. I also go to a commuter school so I don't ever need to buy anything for housing. So the few supplies I get are pretty much it!
How important are sales and discounts for back-to-school shopping?
Not important. I don't spend that much to begin with so I don't wait for any deals before shopping.
