When Should Back To School Supplies Really Begin?

Meijer is already setting up shelves for back-to-school supplies, and while some Michiganders think it's too early, others believe it makes perfect sense.

Back-to-School Supplies Affected by Tariffs and Inflation

Inflation was already a growing concern before the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was during the pandemic that prices began to surge dramatically, and they have continued to rise since then.

The newly imposed tariffs will significantly impact the cost of school supplies and clothing, especially those that are imported. This hasn’t taken full effect yet, as businesses are still adjusting their inventory and pricing strategies to be ready when the time comes.

I recently purchased some clothes for my son, and was pleasantly surprised at the available deals. I haven't had to buy any school supplies yet, but that time is coming sooner rather than later.

Read More: Firearm Safety Class Could Join Michigan School Electives

Over the years, Meijer and other department stores have put out Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Father's Day items earlier each year. It seems logical that school supplies would come out earlier.

Are Back-to-School Supplies Arriving Too Early This Year?

Meijer has a Reddit page, and one of its customers noticed school supplies were already popping up on shelves in Warren, Michigan. A Reddit poster commented that Meijer is nuts for doing so, which spurred a great discussion from Meijer shoppers.

Early on, in the Reddit thread, this poster makes some valid points. This suggests Meijer is adapting to the current economic situation to support families while navigating the uncertainties caused by the tariffs.

Similar to the first Reddit post I showed you, this poster noticed the benefits of spreading out the spending over the summer to make it easier on a person's budget. I think this shows how Meijer is adjusting to shoppers' new spending habits.

There already seems to be demand, so why not put the supplies out early?

Many posters on the Reddit thread saw the advantage of the early back-to-school displays, while others argued it was too early.

Get our free mobile app

As shoppers, we should remember that stores like Meijer closely track spending habits, often through debit card use. So many changes are driven by the behavior of the majority. Let's not forget the store chain is also adjusting to the uncertainty of the economy and the unknown.

👇BELOW: Weird Back To School Supplies👇