Get prepared for back-to-school with Hamilton Place

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It’s that time of year once again… Back-to-school shopping.

With tax free weekend around the corner, Hamilton Place Mall is giving shopping ideas for how students can prepare for the new school year.

“We have seen a wild influx of shoppers this season. Generally, for tax free weekend, when it’s coming up, shoppers wait. They want to get ready for those savings. But this year, I mean even at the beginning of July, it was so busy,” Senior marketing director Jason Heymann said.

The National Retail Federation projected that back-to-school spending will be $41.9 billion this year. Which is more than $3 billion more than last year. 

“Me and my friend we came back to school shopping and we’re just picking up some last-minute things. Just trying to… There’s actually a lot of people here for a Wednesday. But apparently everyone had the same idea as us,” UTC student Lily Greer said.

Hamilton Place has a website with assorted deals for students and families to find what they’re looking for. 

Stores are offering deals on top of tax-free weekends to encourage shoppers to come out and shop.

“I’m excited to just show people our great store. We have a great store, and this is our first back to school that we’re experiencing, so we’re excited about seeing everybody and just welcoming them in and showing them what we got,” Rosie & Remington key holder Christi Turner said.

The mall is also holding a backpack giveaway through text entries.

The giveaway will provide school must-haves for a discounted cost. 

“Figuring out what kids want but also all the deals. Putting a page together so that way you can know what the deals are, make your shopping plan, get ready for the weekend, because it’s going to be busy and you want to make sure you get all those deals in during that shopping weekend,” Heymann said.

The stores are hoping to target trends for students as they return to school. 

“Some new crocs, some new additions to the fits you know. Just some other necessities for school,” CCS student Levi Thompson said.

Hamilton Place Mall will be starting the state tax free weekend on Friday. 

Some stores are even opening early with RSVP reservations for customers.

For back-to-school lists and information, visit HamiltonPlace.com.