Forty-eight percent of consumers believe retailers are offering better back-to-school shopping promotions this year, according to PriceGrabber® survey

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- PriceGrabber® just released results from its final Back-To-School Shopping Forecast survey, revealing that 48 percent of consumers believe retailers are offering better promotions on back-to-school items this year compared to last. According to the survey, 88 percent of consumers chose 'sales' as the top retailer promotion that will entice them to make a back-to-school purchase this year. Forty-nine percent of shoppers cited coupons; 44 percent noted that "free items with purchase" would persuade them to buy; and 34 percent selected sales available online only. Conducted from July 27 to August 8, 2012, the survey includes responses from 2,745 U.S. online shopping consumers, with 1,000 of the respondents planning to shop this back-to-school season.

When survey respondents were asked to select all back-to-school products that are offering great deals, school supplies topped the list with 67 percent of the consumer vote. Clothing came in second place with 58 percent; 32 percent cited electronics including computers, tablets and smartphones; 30 percent selected back packs or tote bags; and 15 percent said books.

"The start of the back-to-school shopping season has been very competitive with retailers offering aggressive promotions to win the consumer dollar," said Graham Jones, general manager of PriceGrabber. "We anticipate retailers will continue to offer very strong promotions and incentives through the remainder of August and even into September as kids start the school year."

34 percent of consumers are finding better back-to-school deals online
When PriceGrabber survey respondents were asked if they think back-to-school deals are better online or in stores this year, 34 percent said online. Twenty-two percent of consumers said deals were better in stores and 44 percent of shoppers said deals were the same whether online or in stores. When asked how they plan to purchase back-to-school items this year, 60 percent of consumers said in stores and 40 percent selected online.

Multi-channel department stores and online retailers score big with consumers
When respondents were asked to select all of the types of stores they plan to shop at for back-to-school items, 67 percent selected large, multi-channel department stores. Online retailers were voted in to second place and wrapping up a close third place, discount, retail outlet stores were noted with 54 percent.  It is noteworthy to mention that 47 percent plan to shop in office supply chain stores this back-to-school season.

Back-to-school promotions for items under $1.00 lure shoppers into stores
Twenty-five percent of survey respondents said they have been lured into brick and mortar stores due to back-to-school sales and promotions for items under $1.00. Of those respondents, 48 percent said that once they got into the store they also purchased additional back-to-school items that were not on sale.

Graham Jones adds, "Shoppers continue to look for the best deals and ways to get the most value from every dollar they spend on back-to-school items. Retailers with aggressive online and in store promotions in August will be better positioned to capture sales during this shopping season."

To view all of PriceGrabber's back-to-school press releases, visit: http://www.pricegrabber.com/about.php?about=press&sub_opt=11

Infographics from PriceGrabber's First Back-To-School Shopping Survey (previously released):
INFOGRAPHIC 3: http://i.pgcdn.com/images/infographics/back2school_survey1_image3.jpg
INFOGRAPHIC 2: http://i.pgcdn.com/images/infographics/back2school_survey1_image2.jpg
INFOGRAPHIC 1: http://i.pgcdn.com/images/infographics/back2school_survey1_image1.jpg

About PriceGrabber.com®
PriceGrabber is a leading online shopping site with more than 23 million unique shoppers monthly. At PriceGrabber, savvy shoppers can instantly find and compare millions of unique products and services across 25 categories with more than 11,000 merchants. Compare products side by side to find the right retailers at the best prices within popular categories, such as Digital Cameras, TVs, Electronics, Computers, Clothing, Books, and more. PriceGrabber provides shoppers with the right product from the right merchant at the best price anytime, anywhere. Visit us at http://www.pricegrabber.com.

SOURCE PriceGrabber.com