Where to find the best back-to-school deals

WASHINGTON — As the days of summer dwindle for D.C.-area students, many parents are salivating at the deals they can score while back-to-school shopping.

This shopping season, they can find many deals, as retailers aim to please with more convenience, longer deals, bigger bonuses and price-matching perks.

Here are a few back-to-school deals:

  • Staples has a “110 percent price match guarantee.” The retailer is offering to match the price of a competitor, plus another 10 percent discount on the difference.

    Staples’ discounted items include 17-cent notebooks, 25-cent rulers and 82-cent filler paper, and other items are priced at less than $1. Check out the full list of back-to-school items on Staples’ website.

  • Wal-Mart has deals in stores and online, and offers its own price- match program. Wal-Mart’s Savings Catcher website lets customers enter an ID code from their receipts. The retail giant then compares its own prices to other advertised prices at competitors that week. If the Savings Catcher finds a lower advertised price at a competitor, Wal-Mart will send an e-gift card with the difference.

    See Walmart’s deals on its website .

  • Old Navy’s back-to-school sales are pretty tempting, including T-shirts starting at $4, activewear starting at $6 and denim and dresses at $10.

    The retailer even offers “Super Cash,” which lets shoppers earn $10, which can be spent at a later time, for every $25 spent. The deal lasts through Aug. 24.

  • Shopping for college and dorm rooms? Target is making it simple with online deals. Customers who spend $75 on home items can get an extra $15 off with promo code HOME15.

    Creating a college registry — that’s right, a registry — can save another $10.

    Target has denim deals with 40 percent off on girls’ and boys’ jeans. Also, backpacks start at $13.

  • Sears and Kmart are making shopping and shipping easy for busy families. Both retailers have deals on kids’ clothing, backpacks and shoes, but their shipping policy can help entice customers.

    Sears and Kmart are partnering through in-store pickup. Customers can order items on Kmart’s website and pick up the items at Sears and vice versa.

    Sears customers don’t even have to get out of the car if they opt for in-vehicle pickup for online orders.

This week is a great time to shop in the Free State. It’s Maryland’s sales tax-free week, which means consumers will get to keep more green in their wallets if they buy clothing or shoe items priced less than $100.

Diapers, hats, belts, jerseys and swimsuits are exempt from the 6 percent sales tax. Sales tax is not applied to any of those items purchased online either, as long as they’re paid for and delivered this week.

Get some tips on smart back-to-school shopping habits on WTOP.com.

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