Texas Tech Expert Offers Money-Saving Advice on Back-to-School Shopping

Pitch

Newswise — What’s the secret to saving money on back to school shopping? Make a list, stick to it and don’t be swayed by flashy displays. That’s according to Deborah Fowler, a professor of retail management at Texas Tech University. She says August is an important month for retailers, who rely on back to school shoppers to boost third-quarter sales. While you’re on the hunt for erasers, markers, notebooks and new clothes, Fowler recommends keeping your smartphone close by to comparison shop to ensure you’re getting the best price possible.

Sound Bites

The audio can be found on Texas Tech University’s FTP site:
http://communications.ttumedia.com

Username: ttucomm
Password: Raiders!!

Go to Texas Tech University -> Radio Pitch and click the ‘Back to School Shopping’ file.

Expert

Deborah Fowler, professor of retail management, Texas Tech University, (806) 834-1779 or [email protected]

Quotes

• “The whole point of the displays is to make you buy the things that you don’t necessarily want. That’s why you have the magazines and the gum at the checkout area.”
• “Make a list (and) figure out exactly what you need to purchase for your children, for your family for back to school, then start checking prices.”
• “Even when you’re shopping, check prices online and see if you can get a better deal online than you can in the store.”

Sample Script

FROM MARKERS TO NOTEBOOKS… BACKPACKS TO SHOES, “BACK TO SCHOOL” SHOPPING CAN REALLY TAKE A TOLL ON YOUR WALLET. 
BUT THERE ARE WAYS TO KEEP THE COSTS DOWN.
“DEBORAH FOWLER”—A RETAIL MANGEMENT PROFESSOR AT TEXAS TECH… SAYS IT DOESN’T MATTER *WHEN YOU START SHOPPING—RATHER *HOW YOU SHOP.
SHE RECOMMENDS MAKING A LIST OF EXACTLY WHAT YOUR KIDDOS NEED—AND STICKING TO IT.
DON’T BE SWAYED BY THE FLASHY DISPLAYS—OFFERING FANCY PENS OR BINDERS.
“FOWLER” SAYS THERE’S A GOOD CHANCE YOU’LL END UP SPENDING MORE THAN YOU BUDGETED… AND TAKE HOME MORE THAN YOU NEEDED.
“The whole point of the displays is to make you buy the things that you don’t necessarily want. That’s why you have the magazines and the gum at the checkout area.”
KEEP YOUR SMARTPHONE CLOSE BY WHILE YOU’RE SHOPPING.
“FOWLER” SAYS YOU CAN USE IT TO COMPARISON SHOP TO ENSURE YOU’RE GETTING THE BEST PRICE POSSIBLE.

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