Walmart offers last year's prices on school supplies, sensory-friendly shopping

Walmart is launching its back-to-school campaign with an emphasis on value and inclusion.

 The discounter is offering classroom supplies and backpacks at last year’s prices, with the 14 most popular items on school supply lists available for just under $12.94. The offer comes as surveys show that most consumers expect to spend more on back-to-school items this year compared to last.  

Walmart is also taking steps toward creating a quieter shopping environment that’s more enjoyable for customers who live with sensory disabilities.  The retailer will offer “sensory-friendly hours” on Saturdays in July and throughout August from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in most stores. (Sensory-free hours in areas that start school after Labor Day will begin July 22.)

Walmart announced its back-to-school campaign the day after Target announced its deals, which include a one-time 20% discount for teachers on an entire shopping trip, in-store or online.

In other moves, the company has debuted a new Classroom Registry experience on Walmart.com and its app to assist educators in reducing their expenses for classroom supplies. The tool features an all-new look and feel that makes it simple and easy for educators to plan, shop and share their classroom wish lists, Walmart said.

Other Walmart back-to-school initiatives are below.

• School Supply List: Walmart is again offering school supply lists curated by school districts and/or individual teachers to ensure their students have all the items needed for their individual classrooms for the upcoming school year. Users type in zip code, select school, grade and teacher, and add it all to your cart with a single tap.

• *New* Spark Good Registry and Round Up: Later this month, public and private schools can create a nonprofit account to begin receiving tax-deductible donations via Spark Good Registry and Round Up, allowing customers the opportunity to donate to their local schools year-round on Walmart.com and the Walmart app. Spark Good is aimed at enabling customers to support the needs of the entire school by rounding up to donate change at checkout or purchasing items on a school's Spark Good Registry.