Parents and students navigate back-to-school-shopping on a budget

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – For parents, back-to-school shopping is a balance of meeting the needs of your kids – and your wallet.

High school junior Isabella Ausikaitis has been scouring the University Mall in search of an outfit for the first day of school.

“Oh, my god, I’ve been thinking about it for this past week, and no clue what I’m gonna wear…I want to have a fresh start this year,” Ausikaitis said.

She’s hoping to find it at Zumiez.

It’s been a busy couple of weeks at the clothing and skate shop, with families shopping deals like the ‘outfit builder’ which is four items for $125.

“We have all the hottest brands. We’ve got stuff that my parents wore when they were in high school. We’ve got stuff that young kids haven’t even heard of yet. So there’s a little bit of something for everybody in here,” said Riley Williams of Zumiez.

Back to school is retail stores’ bread and butter, with US parents expected to spend some $39 billion this year according to the National Retail Federation.

In Vermont, Erin Sigrist with the Vermont Retail and Grocers Association says 60% of families have already started their shopping.

“With online retail and various sales throughout the summer, more and more people are starting to shop a little earlier. They’re stretching out their spending. They’re planning ahead,” said Singrist.

That spending stretch leads some shoppers to Plato’s Closet in Williston.

The second-hand store prides itself on helping shoppers save money while saving clothing.

At their Williston location alone, they say they’ve saved four million items from the landfill since 2002.

“I think that’s really beautiful. It’s also really convenient if you are a parent and want to just take your kids to one spot to get all the brands they want,” said Ellie Powell of Plato’s Closet.

Platos staff say baggy pants, cargo shorts, and graphic or oversized tees are their most popular items this year.

Jessie Stringer is on a budget in search of brand-name shoes for his boys.

“It’s a good place to start, just to kind of see what they might have so you can save a few dollars,” said Stringer.

St. Johnsbury Academy sophomores Kathryn Zajko and Effie Dunn hope to find new wardrobes for the new year.

“The clothes are cheaper than other places. They’re used. You can buy more. So then you have four wardrobes here,” said Zajko.

“I normally lean more towards the pastels and cooler tone colors, but I’m trying to stuff out of my comfort zone, which is why I’m shopping with her,” said Dunn.

With brick-and-mortar and online stores neck and neck for foot traffic, Vermont retailers encourage you to shop local back-to-school deals when you can.

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