LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Stores are flooded with back to school supplies, with many families shopping now to avoid the rush and save money.
"If you get it now, you're going to get it at the lowest price," Walmart store manager Maranda Like said Friday. "Which is going to save you a ton on that basket."
In 2026, the National Retail Federation expects families to spend an average of $863 on school supplies. However, some major retailers are helping parents keep more money in their pockets.
At Walmart, school supplies currently start at 25 cents. The basic options for items such as crayons, glue sticks, and composition books are often much cheaper than the options with fun patterns and well-known video game and movie characters.
"We have notebooks for 25 cents," Like said. "Crayons are 25 cents, markers for under a dollar, colored pencils under a dollar and scissors under a dollar. You can probably get every item on your shopping list for under a dollar or even under 50 cents."
Walmart also has kids clothing on clearance right now. The Louisville location on Diann Marie Road has some T-shirts on sale for less than $5.
"Most of our basic socks and underwear are also on rollback," Like said. "You have savings there from $1 to $2 to $3. Pants are another $2 or $3 off."
These sales are cutting deeper than recent years. Walmart officials said these are the best in-store deals since 2019.
"The grocery basket is getting more expensive," Like said. "Where we can save you 75 cents here, you can spend 75 cents on the fruit and the vegetables."
At Target, sales start July 26 and run through Aug. 1. A lot of supplies will also be under a dollar. Kids shoes will be 25% off, and their clothing will be up to 30% off.
Kohl's is rolling out dozens of deals for shirts, shoes, backpacks and more. Tops and pants for kids are as low as $6.99. School uniforms start at $11.99.
There are also deals at other major retailers such as Old Navy and Dick's Sporting Goods. Some back-to-school shoppers encourage other parents to do their homework and compare prices.
Experts also suggest parents focus on what kids need immediately, such as basic supplies and shoes. This can hold students off until end-of-season markdowns on clothing and other school necessities.
Not everyone is shopping at big box stores. Employees at Carmichael’s Kid’s Bookstore are busy keeping up with demand.
"When kids get excited about their school supplies, it makes it a little more special because then, that excitement shines through about the school year," Carmichael’s manager Sarah Cottrell said. "So a lot of people see what we have and love that, and then pick up items as they go."
The NRF expects spending on back-to-school supplies to reach a record $43 billion this year, driven by increases in spending on school supplies and electronics.
For a full list of local back-to-school giveaways and resources, click here.
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