Is It Too Early For A Back To School Sale?

We’re at a point in the year when most young people don’t even want to hear the word “school”. After all, it feels like their summer vacations have only just started. Here’s a little reminder that time does fly. We’re now passed the midpoint of July. So, before you know it, the back to school shopping season will be upon us.

With that said, allow us to answer the question posed by today’s blog title. It is certainly not too early for your store to begin a back to school sale. In fact, one could argue it’s the perfect time of year to begin promoting your back to school specials. Not only are you likely to get the jump on your competition, but you will be catering to the needs of students and parents everywhere!

Offer discounts on services that get people school-ready.

If you own a business that doesn’t sell back to school items (clothes, books, stationery etc.), you can still offer discounts that will help students, parents and teachers get prepared for the new school year. Do you own a hair salon, barber shop or health and beauty store? Special “get yourself ready for back to school” discounts are bound to increase the number of customers you get this summer.

According to Marissa Langevin on ThriveHive.com, back to school discounts that get people ready for the new school year are particularly beneficial for spas and salons that offer manicures, pedicures, waxing and massages.

Host a back to school contest.

Who doesn’t love winning prizes? Host a contest that encourages students to participate. The many benefits of hosting a contest include growing a buzz for your brand, endearing your business to a younger audience and increasing foot traffic in your store.

“Everybody loves a contest, making them a great tool to increase sales and generate buzz about your business,” writes Susan Ward on TheBalanceSMB.com, “A kid-related contest is a natural for back to school. You might, for instance, ask kids to write or draw what they like best about school or pick a theme such as school safety and ask kids to send in tips or create posters. Or turn the theme on its head and ask kids or parents what they’ll miss most about summer.”

Reward students who get good grades.

As mentioned earlier, you don’t have to sell school supplies in order to take advantage of back to school shopping season. A great way to market your store to students is to offer them special deals when they bring in their report cards to you. The better the report card, the more significant the savings!

“Almost any business can take advantage of this idea,” says Langevin, “The trick to getting people in the door now is to have a rewards program that students must enroll in at the beginning of the school year!  If you’re a salon or spa, offer discounts on services, or free makeup or manicure for prom. If you’re a coffee shop or restaurant, you can offer students a free or discounted meal.”

No matter how you choose to advertise your back to school sale, Synergy Merchants can help you to secure the funding for the campaign. For information about our unique merchant cash advance program, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-718-2026 or email us at info@synergymerchants.com. You can also apply online for a free, no obligation quote!