Target Locks In 2024 Back-to-School Prices & Adds New Lows

As families gear up for the upcoming academic year, Target is stepping forward with a clear strategy aimed at easing back-to-school budget pressures. The retail giant has announced a commitment to maintaining prices from the previous year on a selection of key school supplies, alongside launching brand-new items at exceptionally low price points.

This focus on value is designed to provide relief to shoppers navigating the essential back-to-school shopping season.

Keeping Costs Down: What to Expect

Target’s core pledge is to hold ‘2024 prices’ on certain back-to-school essentials. This means popular items like crayons, colored pencils, notebooks, and folders will be available at the same price points shoppers saw last year, ensuring predictability in costs for foundational supplies.

In addition to price holds, several popular affordability initiatives are making a return:

20 Items Under $20: The curated list featuring 20 must-have school supplies totaling less than $20 will be back.
The $5 Backpack: A top-selling favorite, the durable $5 backpack, is returning to stores.
Items Under $5: Over 1,000 back-to-school products will be priced at $5 or less, including specific examples like $2 water bottles and $5 wired headphones.
First-Day Outfits from $5: Apparel from Target’s owned brand, Cat & Jack, will feature outfits starting at just $5.

Teacher Essentials from $3.50: Supplies tailored for educators, such as storage bins, dry erase markers, and classroom décor, will start at $3.50.

Adding further value, Target is introducing a new line of school supplies with aggressive pricing. Shoppers can find notebooks for as low as 35 cents, composition books starting at 50 cents, and lunch sacks priced at $3. The retailer also plans to offer special discounts specifically for students and teachers.

Target’s Executive Vice President, Rick Gomez, emphasized the company’s role during this crucial time, stating, “The Target team will be there for families by holding last year’s prices on key school supplies and standing tall for unrivaled style, quality and exceptional value.”

Mark Your Calendars: Target Circle Week Returns

Complementing the price holds and low-cost items is the return of the annual Target Circle Week sale event. This major promotional period is scheduled to run from July 6 through July 12, offering deals across a wide range of categories beyond just school supplies, including electronics and other products.

This sale event is timed just ahead of competitors like Amazon Prime Day and is positioned as a key opportunity for shoppers to save significantly. Historically, Circle Week has featured substantial discounts on popular brands across categories like LEGO, home goods, clothing, and skincare. Target Circle members will have access to these deals, with Target Circle 360 paid members receiving early access starting a day prior, on July 5. The company is also offering a limited-time 50% discount on a one-year Target Circle 360 membership through September 13.

This value-focused approach to back-to-school comes as Target, like many retailers, navigates a complex economic environment where consumer spending habits are shifting and price sensitivity is high. While facing recent challenges including dips in foot traffic and changing customer sentiment related to various factors, Target’s back-to-school strategy aims to reinforce its commitment to offering affordable essentials and desirable products, making it a go-to destination for families preparing for the new school year.