Doing the Last-Minute-Back-to-School Shuffle!

Last-minute Back-to-School shoppers can breathe a sigh of relief: Most stores are extending their Back-To-School sales, at least for now, which can only mean more discounts and savings for the true bargain hunter.

There is only one more day left for shoppers and students alike to get all that they need at discounted prices before New York City Public Schools start.

But some Bed-Stuy businesses are still waiting for the rush.

“It's been pretty dead for the past few weeks” said Joel Fernandez, Manager at S&D Underground, located at 1260 Fulton St. “There is not a lot of money in the streets [among shoppers].”

“When compared to last year around this time, we just aren’t doing the same” said David, manager for Footlocker, located at 1258 Fulton St. “Times are tough for people right now, so I can understand why.”

Both stores say that they are down, when compared to last year’s Back-to–School sales numbers. Footlocker even started its sales early-- at the end of July.

Although many Bed-Stuy Stores are seeing a drop in business for this year’s sales, many retailers saw Back-to-school sales actually rise 4.4 percent across the country when compared with August 2010 numbers, which many retailers see as a silver lining amongst the stagnant U.S economy.

Blair, a cashier at Payless Shoe Source, located at 1231 Fulton Street, said that since the start of the Back–to-School sale season, which is second largest shopping season of year after the holiday season, Payless has been fairly busy, especially this past Tuesday, which is right before kids go back to school.

Rainbow, a women’s clothing and accessory store located 1220 Fulton St. said that even though they aren’t having any specific Back-to-School sales, business has increased over the past few weeks.

“It has gotten a lot busier recently,” said Tasha, an employee at Rainbow.

Even though some retailers saw better than expected business, many shoppers are still hesitant to rush towards the sales.

“We’ve been looking for bargains, especially now with the economy the way it is” said Cristie Russell, who had just finished up some last-minute shopping with her son.

Most of the cautionary spending comes as a result of high unemployment, little to no rise in workers wages, and general lack of funds for anything but household essentials.

“Money is tight now, so that definitely played into my decisions” said Patrick Nagle, a local graduate student who is also unemployed.

According to an NPR report, many retailers were even starting their Back-to-School season as early as June, just to get a head start on the lucrative shopping season.

Some analysts predict that the Back-to-School sales at some retail stores might even extend into November to try and spur consumer spending. Footlocker and S&D Underground are both extending theirs until October.

“At first, price didn’t matter. But now that I don’t have a job, the economy definitely factors into my purchasing decisions” said Christian Silva, a local shopper and student.

“I purchased what I needed in early August” said Silva. “But I know that I still need to get more things.”