Walmart kicks off back-to-school with items under $10

The back-to-school shopping season is heating up, and Walmart is gearing up with an assortment of products for under $10, the retail giant announced Monday. 

The list includes thousands of items, including Pen Gear composition books for $0.50, Bic 10-pack of ballpoint pens for $1.77, and Pen Gear highlighters for $0.88.

Walmart is also working to attract teachers and educators with its Classroom Registry section on the Walmart website and app, which is “designed to assist educators in reducing their expenses for classroom supplies,” the company said in a press release. 

The sale also features grocery items for lunches. 

“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 company said. “The basket features 16 kid-approved items, including PB&J essentials, juice, fruit and snacks, for easy and affordable school lunches.” 

Shoppers can also get immunizations and other health care needs while picking up school supplies. That includes pharmacy appointments and deals on eyewear. Frames start at $9 from brands like DKNY, Columbia, Bebe, Nautica, and Nike Eyewear. 

“Customers can even virtually ‘try on’ more than 900 eyewear options online …” the company said. 
 
Most shoppers have not yet begun to buy school supplies, according to a report released on Monday by Kroger-owned data analytics firm 84.51°.

Related:Dollar General releases its school supply savings list

The Real Time Insights report noted that 76% of survey respondents said they have not begun their back-to-school shopping as of July 9. 

Eighty-nine percent of those who plan to shop at a grocery store or mass merchandise store said they expect to do their shopping at a brick-and-mortar location, according to the survey.

Their top three prerogatives in shopping for school supplies this year include: finding supplies within a budget (31%), finding supplies on sale (24%), and finding supplies on their list (21%). 

When it comes to getting good value out of their shopping this year, the 84.51° survey respondents said they’re looking at price/affordability (46%), quality (19%), and durability (12%).