The "New" back to school shopping list retailers & parents need to know
Back to school is an exciting time for parents and children. The excitement is derived from the renewed sense of hope to continue with academic programs.
The back to school programme and formalities, however, is punctuated with that trip to the store or numerous trips to the retail stores to purchase much-needed school supplies.
The retail stores carry the sole responsibility of stocking what is needed for back-to-school purchasing. While profit margins are a key focus for retailers, what is even more important is to ensure you have the right products at the right price.
For increased consumer reach and improved back to school sales, Guzzle is the platform you need to consider. Guzzle will help you to reach a broad market through hardcopy and digital formats of back-to-school catalogues.
This coming back to school season is going to happen under very different circumstances punctuated by Covid-19 regulations. Not only is disposable income in short supply in many homes but the health crisis has brought a new set of priorities.
This means what used to be a priority may be overtaken by other needs and wants which cater to the prevailing social and
economic environment. The only standard criteria which remain unbroken will be age, gender identity, activity level and personal style.
What’s the new shopping list that parents, learners and retailers need to know?
Internet connectivity
Nobody knows when Covid-19 will be over and nobody knows when the lockdown will be over for all learners to be fully back in class. Online learning will therefore continue to be the in-thing. This, therefore, means good internet connectivity is on the list of priorities for many parents and guardians.
For retailers and service providers, this presents a perfect opportunity to provide affordable and reliable internet service. If you are not an internet service provider, it’s a good business idea to strike partnerships with internet service providers for consumers to use your store as a service or contact centre. For those operating as internet service providers, it’s time for promotions and discounted internet service rates specifically for school children.
Facemasks and hand sanitisers
Maintaining high levels of hygiene is a must. A facemask, sanitisers and disinfecting wipes are a must under the prevailing conditions. Retailers must therefore stock up on these essentials as the demand for them will skyrocket as children return to school.
Not only will parents and children look to purchase these products, but learning institutions will also be looking to stock up for their public use.
Tech gadgets
Home learning and increased distance between learners, schools and tutors bring in the need for user-friendly tech products like laptops, tablets and smartphones.
These gadgets will again be on top of the shopping list for easy leaning and communication purposes. Retailers will do well to provide gadgets which cater for different income groups but also tech gadgets which cater to different age groups of school-going children. It’s a simple fact that what a first grader will need and be able to use will be different from what a 7th-grade child will need.
Headphones
The online learning experience can’t be complete without properly hearing what’s being said. Retailers must expect an increased demand for headphones. Again, on this one, it’s about affordable, durable and user-friendly headsets with some unique features for different age groups.
Reusable water bottles
Many people, which include children are avoiding the idea of using public water drinking facilities. A sizeable and handy water bottle will therefore be needed.
For retailers, it’s about meeting the needs of the most in the need age group of school children.
Lunchboxes
Food storage and preservation is a constant need for children and lunchboxes play a vital role in this. Bento-style boxes are expected to be the in thing because they are easy to clean and can be handled by different age groups.
Home desk
Many people may have ignored the importance of a home desk. With the increased covid-19 cases being recorded in South Africa, more children will find themselves doing their studies from home.
Home desks will therefore be in demand. You can spread the options as a retailer by providing floating desks, computer desks, corner desks and roll-top desks. For those who can’t afford the more expensive desks, you can stock up on lap desks.
Health insurance
Health insurance has become vitally important during the current health crisis. While health insurance service providers have long-established sales channels, retail houses can maximise on the large number of potential consumers who frequent their stores for other products.
You can clinch profitable partnerships by allowing parents to have access to insurance products within your store while they buy other school supplies.
While backpacks, lunch bags, notebooks, pencil boxes will remain the traditional back to school items, the items listed above must are worth considering by retailers.
You can rely on Guzzle to allow you to display your back-to-school product catalogues in a digital format but also allow you to repurpose your printed catalogue to reach more consumers online.
Guzzle Media
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