Walmart kicks off back-to-school shopping season

Walmart is offering customers a full suite of shopping services to make shopping for the new school year simpler than before, the retailer said.

This year, the retailer is offering deals on back-to-school products, including pens, backpacks, clothes and lunchboxes, among other items. 

“At Walmart, we are proud to offer a back-to-school assortment that will excite our customers—enabling them to find everything on their list at the prices they know they can trust us to deliver,” said Julie Barber, executive vice president of general merchandise at Walmart. “My team and I look forward to being a part of such a memorable time in our customers’ lives each year!”

[Read more: Pharmacy Innovator of the Year 2021: Walmart connects with communities]

This year, customers will find top items and brands across the back-to-school assortment, including:

• Thousands of back-to-school items under $10 – With items from national and private brands, Walmart is helping families stay on budget while prices are top of mind again this year, like Pen+Gear composition books for $0.50, BIC 10-pack ballpoint pens for $1.77 and Pen+Gear highlighters for $0.88.
• Supply list necessities – Shoppers can find brands such as Pen+Gear, Crayola, Five Star, Paper Mate and Sharpie. Students also can select their favorite pencil pouches, backpacks and notebooks from top franchises including Disney, Nintendo and Marvel.
• First-day fashion – Consumers can shop from a wide apparel selection that includes Walmart’s private brands, like No Boundaries, Free Assembly, Scoop and Wonder Nation, along from national brands like Levi’s, Justice, Reebok and Claire’s.
• Best-in-class tech – The retailer offers products from Apple, HP, Samsung and JBL. Walmart also is helping the littlest students get a head start on learning with the new Kids Tablet line, featuring an exclusive partnership with ABC Mouse that offers kids’ content free with purchase. And customers can find high-quality products from top brands at a fraction of typical costs through Walmart Restored, a collection of refurbished tech and appliances powered by Walmart Marketplace.

Spotlight on teachers:
To help ensure the classroom assortment meets the needs of teachers, Walmart brought in the people whose opinion matters most: real educators. Considering their feedback, the classroom and bulk supplies reflect what is most needed for a successful school year.

The Classroom Registry experience on Walmart.com and the Walmart app was designed to assist educators in reducing their expenses for classroom supplies. 

[Read more: Walmart unveils next steps in grocery network transformation]

Lunch-friendly finds:
New this year, customers can shop Walmart’s one-click food basket, which provides two weeks of lunches for just about $2 per day. The basket features 16 items for affordable school lunches. The basket is available for pickup and delivery services on Walmart.com and the Walmart app through Sept. 15.

Curated college offerings:
Walmart is offering dorm essentials inspired by the cottage core and eclectic icon trends to high-tech finds for every assignment and project, customers can discover everything they need to check off their list.

• One-stop college destination – Customers can find bedding and décor like the Mainstay’s Cloud Ottoman and Cowgirl-inspired lit sign to technology like the Apple MacBook Air with M1 chip for $649.
• College & grad student savings – Walmart+ is offering all the benefits of a traditional Walmart+ membership, but at half the price to college and grad students. This includes free shipping with no order minimum, free grocery delivery and even a Paramount+ membership. Students who are 18 years of age or older and enrolled in an undergrad or advanced degree program will pay just $49 per year or $6.47/month. This offer is live now through Sept. 13.
• College-hour delivery – On-Demand delivery starts at 6 a.m. along with Late-Night Express Delivery. 

Walmart said the key to a successful school year starts with prioritizing your health and wellness. Walmart is making it easier for students, parents and teachers to address their healthcare needs while they pick up their back-to-school essentials, including:

• Immunization appointments – Available via walk-up and pre-scheduled appointments on Walmart.com and the Walmart app, our nearly 4,600 pharmacies nationwide provide convenient options for customers to get their back-to-school vaccines for the flu, COVID-19, HPV and more, any day of the week.
• On-trend eyewear – From brands like Nautica and Nike Eye. 

Walmart is continuing its commitment to creating a more inclusive school shopping experience by rolling out Caroline’s Carts, helping the caregivers of customers with disabilities navigate the store with a single cart. By January 2025, all Walmart Supercenters and all Neighborhood Markets will receive at least one cart, totaling more than 8,000 carts. 

In addition to Walmart’s growing assortment of adaptive apparel, families can shop new sensory backpacks. The first-to-market Wonder Nation backpack, available for only $28, features easy grab zipper pulls, an insulated front pocket, compression hip belt with pockets, tactile teddy fleece on shoulder strap and multiple headphone ports, among other features.