A Deal's A Deal: Back-To-School Shopping In A Down Economy

It’s that time.

Pencils and sneakers and paper and rulers and jeans and haircuts and everything else that goes into a back-to-school list can be a daunting, budget-busting endeavor, even in the best of economic times.

Despite the lagging economy and an uncertain future faced by many families, area merchants had reported bustling sales for back-to-school shoppers, at least prior to Hurricane Irene, in the last days before area schools re-open for the year.

But there is a difference, merchants said. The sales are more important than ever.

“Our customers are being smarter and trying to find the best value for their dollar,” said Peter Gacos, Owner of .

Gacos said the Route 35 business, located in the shopping center at Route 18, said back-to-school traffic is on par with previous years, but that customers were looking hard for the best deals.

A few miles south on Route 35, Ryan Hurley, customer service lead at the Staples office supply store, said much the same is true: Traffic has been steady and shopping lists just as long, but each item is being scruitinized for the best price.

 “It’s the same as last year, and it’s only going to get crazier,” Hurley said of the foot traffic. “They are definitely out for the sales.”

Karen Melendez, of Howell, was shopping at Sneakers Plus earlier this week and said she is trying to be smarter about how she spends this year. 

“This year, I have done more targeted back-to-school shopping,” said Melendez, mother of three girls.

 Melendez purchased shin guards and socks for her 11-year-old daughter, Lauren, for her travel soccer team.

 “I checked our current inventory of what we had for back-to-school and I’m only purchasing what we really need,” Melendez said. “Last year, everyone got new backpacks. This year, we only bought one new one.”

Just down the road at Supercuts, a discount hair salon chain, manager Cassandra Davis said she has noticed customers pinching pennies this year.”

“We have noticed that most customers are not getting add-ons,” Davis said. “For example, moms are getting haircuts, but then coloring their hair at home.”

Township residents Brett and Troy Bertolatus – 11 and 12 years old, respectively -- were getting their back-to-school cuts on a recent visit.  Kids haircuts at the salon are $14 and no appointment is necessary.

“Customers definitely come here for the affordability,” Davis said. “Our customers have become much more value conscious.”

At Kmart, also on Route 35, manager John Hoever said sales of back-to-school items were bustling.

“People are buying all the things they need,” Hoever said. “They bring their lists and seem to be buying whatever they need.”

But one Staples shopper said that list can be deceiving. This year, it may be filled at several stores instead of just one.

 “I specifically wait for the deals,” said Dana Puharic, of Johnson Street. “I’ve been very focused on the sale papers – even for food shopping.”

After a stop at Staples, Puharic said she was headed to Wal-Mart for other supplies she found at a cheaper price.

“The reason I’m here is because of the sale papers,” Puharic said.