Published:
Walmart's 'Back to School Savings Challenge' Shows Emerging Trends Among Shoppers Looking to Save
BENTONVILLE, Ark., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Parents across the
country have found both practical and creative ways to manage their back to
school budgets this year as revealed on Walmart's micro site
http://www.MakeYourDollarStretch.com. Not only did 75 percent of responders
to the site's informal poll reveal they would start shopping earlier for back
to school, but the submissions and tips parents entered in the "Back to School
Savings Challenge" show more time is being spent on planning before consumers
ever hit the stores, from starting neighborhood sharing programs to detailed
internet research.
Top ideas and stories are listed today on the site. Overall, ideas
submitted by parents include very similar trends. Many parents are now:
-- Taking school supply and clothing inventory at home before making a
trip;
-- Shopping at stores that fit the "one-stop-shop" model to save time and
gas;
-- Shopping with a list (beyond the school supply list) to avoid
additional spending;
-- Researching the best back-to-school offerings online before going to
the store;
-- Taking the opportunity to teach kids the value of a dollar by including
them in spending decisions and reasoning.
"Because the average household can spend more than $500 to prepare for
back to school, it's no surprise parents have used this season to put new
money management programs in place which may also be relevant and helpful for
the approaching holiday season," said Ellie Kay, author of Living Rich for
Less and known, through her personal finance services, as America's Family
Financial Expert(R).
As financial contributor to the site, Ellie Kay selected three unique
stories for others to learn from as a part of the challenge. From the
hundreds of stories submitted, the three finalists' stories will be posted to
the MakeYourDollarStretch.com and each will receive $600 in Walmart Gift
Cards, essentially "reimbursing" them for the average back to school spend.
Consumers can vote for their favorite savings story on the site through
Sept. 7.
Tips and excerpts from the finalist stories include:
-- From Brenda in Ohio
"Stocking up on our college student's food tab is affordable when we
buy a little extra on each grocery trip and put aside some for her ...
Saving money comes from the attitude that college costs can be spread
out rather than a major one month only outlay."
-- From Sarah in Virginia
"Online shopping is my tip for saving a little this Back to School
season. It saves you some gas money. You're not being rushed by the
kids, so you are less likely to just grab whatever and therefore
overspend."
-- Heather in Georgia
"Our main focus is to keep a list and regularly check for deals even
when you are doing regular shopping each week. We also will allow for
a 'splurge' item that may cost a little more (but is still on sale)
just so the kids have something special for back to school."
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart Stores, Supercenters,
Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America or log on to its
online store at http://www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are
committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Walmart (NYSE: WMT) is
proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates
right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $296 million to
local communities inthe United States. More information about Walmart can be
found by visiting http://www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are
available at http://www.walmart.com.
SOURCE Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Copyright © 2008, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze,
Daily NewsTags: ,REA,SUP,SVY,AR-Walmart-Challenge
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