What Back-to-School Shoppers Want—And How Resellers Can Deliver

Again-to-school season is right here! For resellers, it’s among the best instances of yr to maneuver stock, appeal to new consumers, and place what you are promoting as a sensible method to save on standard merchandise.

This yr, budget-conscious customers are getting their buying accomplished earlier, making their {dollars} go additional, and even trying past conventional retail. If you happen to promote secondhand, low cost, or liquidated items, that is your second to capitalize!

What Again-to-Faculty Buyers Are Doing In another way in 2025

Households are feeling the pinch of rising prices however nonetheless anticipate to spend huge on back-to-school wants. Right here’s what stands out this yr:

Common anticipated spend: Almost $900 per Ok–12 family; much more for faculty college students.
Earlier buying: Many households began in late June or early July, hoping to beat excessive costs and low inventory.
Smarter instruments: Buyers are utilizing AI-powered apps and browser extensions to match costs and discover offers quick.
Excessive-priority merchandise: Whereas tech and attire spend could be tighter for some this yr, they’re nonetheless traditionally standard back-to-school classes. Purchasing lists embody:

Laptops, tablets, headphones
Youngsters’ and teenagers’ attire
Athletic sneakers and sneakers
Backpacks
Books and faculty provides

Deal looking: Over a 3rd of U.S. back-to-school customers plan to solely purchase gadgets on sale (37%).

And whereas main retailers like Goal, Amazon, and Walmart stay standard, customers are additionally poised to take an alternate strategy. That’s the place resellers are available.

Why Resellers Ought to Lean In—Now

With excessive costs and rising curiosity in secondhand choices, resale has the potential to turn into extra mainstream amongst back-to-school households. Based on a current survey, 71% of customers aged 25-34 purchased “pre-loved items” prior to now yr.

That is your alternative to:

Fill the hole left by out-of-stock or overpriced retail items
Provide budget-friendly alternate options that match what consumers are already trying to find
Construct long-term belief with cost-conscious households who might turn into loyal repeat clients

However it’s not nearly having the appropriate merchandise—it’s about having them on the proper time.

3 Methods to Supply Sensible for Again-to-Faculty Season

Retailers are shortly liquidating summer time stock, together with any early back-to-school returns. Meaning resellers like you may get forward—if you happen to transfer shortly.

1. Observe Early Returns

In style buying occasions and holidays lend themselves to extra returns and exchanges. (Assume: Amazon Prime Day and the Fourth of July.) Later, that stock hits recommerce platforms like B-Inventory earlier than the varsity yr begins. Look ahead to sneakers, attire, and outside gadgets particularly!

Do you know? Via 2024, nearly all of attire stock listed on B-Inventory was buyer returns (72%). Try attire stock >>

2. Search for Seasonal Overlap

Retailers are clearing summer time items, although many merchandise (like garments and sneakers) are nonetheless in excessive demand. Use this to your benefit when planning the following few months of your stock provide. Again-to-school and early fall gadgets could be sourced collectively, providing you with extra bang on your buck.

3. Store the Proper Classes

Deal with what households are prioritizing: sensible, important, and budget-friendly items. There are “good to haves” and requirements, however everybody loves a deal!

Classes to observe on B-Inventory:

Shopper electronics
Footwear
Youngsters’s and teenage clothes
Backpacks and equipment

Don’t Neglect to Marketplace for the Second

As soon as your cabinets are stocked, assist customers discover you:

Ship an electronic mail blast to your clients letting them find out about new stock, drawing consideration to “pupil necessities” or “school-ready tech.”
Spotlight the model names you supply in your listings on websites like Poshmark and eBay.
For the extroverts: Host a back-to-school-themed reside public sale on Whatnot.
If you happen to’re a brick-and-mortar retailer or low cost retailer proprietor, arrange gross sales and buying occasions that generate buzz and increase foot site visitors.

In the end, you need to promote financial savings and worth—prime priorities for each shopper proper now—with out getting misplaced within the noise.

Again-to-Faculty and Past: Make Your Enterprise a Go-To for Sensible Financial savings

Again-to-school season could also be a peak second, however the habits consumers type now can carry via the yr. Even now, lawmakers in Congress want to help small sellers and entrepreneurs on digital platforms to incentivize a extra sustainable, round strategy to buying.

By sourcing liquidated stock in bulk from recommerce platforms like B-Inventory, you’re in a position to:

Provide name-brand merchandise at discounted costs
Help households searching for reasonably priced alternate options
Place what you are promoting as a sustainable and cost-effective selection, even after college begins

Buyers are getting smarter. Be certain that what you are promoting is, too. Discover pallets, merchandise, and pricing that work on your funds. Store reside listings now.