Walmart Subtracts Stress, Adds Savings to Back-to-School Shopping

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BENTONVILLE, Ark., July 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Walmart unveiled its back-to-school lineup today designed to save its customers more money and stress this shopping season. The retailer is promising to help customers ring up the savings by focusing on five key areas this back-to-school season:

1. Gimmick-free pricing all season long, including more than 250 school supplies for less than $1,
2. Offering the hottest trends in school supplies,
3. Launching a new "Teachers Corner" that puts classroom needs in one location,
4. Bringing back its online school supply and uniform list database, Classrooms by Walmart, and
5. Offering free shipping on uniforms and school supplies purchased on Walmart.com.

"We know that back-to-school shopping costs add up but parents can trust Walmart to keep prices low," said Duncan Mac Naughton, executive vice president, chief merchandising and marketing officer for Walmart U.S. "This back-to-school season we will sell 42 million boxes of crayons. That's a lot of crayons, and we're here to make sure parents and students don't feel the pinch."

According to a National Retail Federation survey, 77 percent of families with school-aged children said the U.S. economy will impact their 2013 back-to-school spending plans. That's why the company is offering several ways for parents and teachers to find every item on their list for less.

Season-Long Savings

Many parents are accustomed to the high-low, bait and switch tactics of retailers during the back-to-school shopping season. However, Walmart promises to keep its prices consistently low all season long.

"We aren't playing games with our prices," added Mac Naughton. The prices we advertise now will be the same low prices all season long."

Walmart is also participating in sales tax holidays around the country, which kick off the last week in July. On select days in certain states, customers pay zero or reduced sales tax for items such as school supplies, apparel and backpacks. Eligible items and dollar limits vary by state.

The Hottest Trends in Supplies

Walmart's commitment to low prices covers the entire store including the coolest trends students are looking to sport as they head back to school.  From licensed products to neon and items that show school pride, Walmart is sending customers to school in style.

• Neon. More than 25 bright and trendy supplies, such as neon dry erase boards, notebooks and mini crates starting at 97 cents.
• Monsters University, Teen Beach Movie. Top must-haves featuring these summer blockbusters.
• One Direction. Walmart is the one stop shop for everything 1D – from entertainment to supplies, apparel and backpacks.
• Team Gear. Students can show their school spirit and personalize their space with Walmart's largest-ever selection of licensed NCAA decor, apparel and supplies.
• Duck Dynasty. School supplies from the popular TV show, available only at select Walmart stores.

Back to Basics

The top selling back-to-school accessories and clothing items at Walmart are graphic t-shirts, denim, athletic shoes, backpacks and socks and underwear. To cross these items off the list for less, Walmart offers items like AND1 backpacks for $14.88 and AVIA sneakers for $15. Parents can shop brands like L.E.I., Wrangler and Hanes for graphic T's, colored jeans and more – all at a low price, guaranteed. 

Teacher's Supplies for Less

Walmart's new "Teachers Corner" offers educators everything they need in one convenient location. From specially-priced charts and posters, along with classroom decor and organizational items for all seasons, teachers can now get more for less.

"Teachers make such an impact on students' lives each and every day.  Going back to school shouldn't make an impact on their wallets," said Mac Naughton. "Teachers can feel confident that they can find what they need and want for their classrooms at Walmart for less."

Additionally, for the fifth year Walmart will donate up to $4.5 million through its Teachers Rewards Program providing 90,000 teachers across the U.S. with reward cards helping offset the cost of classroom expenses coming out of their own pockets. Walmart will also be hosting a number of "stuff the bus" events at stores across the country.

Bringing Back-to-School Online

Once again, Walmart is making it easy for customers to shop their entire list in the store or online.

Classrooms by Walmart is one of the most extensive online databases of school supply and teacher registry lists, and is back by popular demand since its launch last year. For the first time this year, school uniform lists will be available on Classrooms by Walmart, making it easier for parents to take care of all their back to school needs online. Parents can search for their child's school, find approved uniform styles and colors and purchase them directly online. Also new this year, students, teachers and parents can access lists in Spanish and have the opportunity to earn up to 4 percent cash back for their schools when shopping online.

Thousands of schools across the U.S. have digitized their supply lists via Classrooms by Walmart, providing a convenient way for parents and teachers to use technology to meet their back-to-school shopping needs. Parents can then conveniently purchase items directly through Walmart.com, or create and print a shopping list to bring with them to their local Walmart store.

In addition, Walmart.com customers will receive free shipping on uniforms and supplies. They can also use the Site-to-Store feature to order eligible items online and pick them up at the nearest store, free of charge.

About Walmart 

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, more than 245 million customers and members visit our more than 10,800 stores under 69 banners in 27 countries and e-commerce websites in 10 countries. With fiscal year 2013 sales of approximately $466 billion, Walmart employs more than 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at twitter.com/walmartnewsroom. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.

SOURCE Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.