Kids are back to school this week, and you know what that means- opportunities to stay ahead for all of the retailers in our sector!
With the sun blaring down on us once more before the start of Autumn, it’s safe to say that for students, going back to school may be one of the most inconvenient things to happen to them this month.
However, that inconvenience is in turn very convenient to us retailers, as it gives us an opportunity to provide for our community and be the pinnacle of reliability in terms of always having what people need.
From snacks, drinks, and last minute school supplies, students are more than likely to stop by their local to pick up something they need, or even forgotten; it’s only right to make it convenient for them and have everything in one place!
Retailers can stock up on popular items like notebooks, pens, and even bread and cereals for breakfast to ensure they’re making the most of the back to school rush.
Not only will this ease the minds of a few forgetful students, but it will probably even help out a few teachers and parents running low on school supplies- we’re sure it’s a universal thing that every parent goes through; that dreaded conversation just before bed, when a parent is finally told that ingredients/supplies are needed first thing in the morning for a project they had all summer to mention.
Instead of having to completely go out of their way for a couple of highlighters and pencils, parents can just take a quick, on the way trip to any convenience store near them; limiting the fuss over the super last minute reminder.
Older students also tend to grab meals or snacks on their way to and from school; perhaps a quick energy drink, a bag of sweets to get them through the day or a Nature Valley bar to replace the breakfast they woke up too late for.
Retailers on university campuses are advised to keep an eye on what stock flies off the shelves the fastest; a tired, hungry university student is notorious for scouring any shop near them for all-nighter fuel, regardless of any nutritional value. A calorific, healthy sandwich can be swapped out for a stick of Pepperami as easily as anything, so it’s always good to stay on top of all stock within the store.
In addition to this, it always helps to be aware of the food trends that tend to circulate through school at this time- remember, everyone’s back from the summer and it’s only inevitable that TikTok food trends are swapped and discussed!
Finally, retailers can also offer special promotions and discounts on breakfast foods and drinks, making it all the more appropriate for parents to shop at their local; for example, Hovis currently have a Back To School promotion for their Best of Both bread that runs from the 14th September to the 4th of October, allowing retailers to have one of the most relevant sales on their shelves!
All in all, we advise retailers to just be mindful of what items would help parents/teachers/students out during this super busy time, and seeing what you can do as a local shop owner to help the community around you.
