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School supply lists going digital at Walmart

July 19, 2012

Nearly 80 percent of moms with children in kindergarten to 12th grade consider back-to-school a time for a fresh start, according to a study conducted by Global Customer Insights and Analytics on behalf of Walmart. In fact, nine out of 10 moms make back-to-school "resolutions" in preparation for the year ahead, with 78 percent planning to get organized each school year.

The results of the WalMart Class of 2012 Back-to-School Survey spurred the retail giant to launch "Classrooms by Walmart," a new online tool to help moms find their students' classroom supply lists and buy them online or at their local brick-and-mortar Walmart. Walmart is the first major retailer to digitize thousands of school supply lists from across the country with additional lists to be added daily throughout the summer. Local school supply lists will also be available in Walmart stores, Duncan Mac Naughton, chief merchandising officer, Walmart U.S., said in a company press relese.

The survey also revealed that 75 percent of moms said saving money was their top "new school year" resolution, while 61 percent of moms said they plan to get their families to eat healthier during the new school year. Nearly half, however, said their biggest challenge to accomplishing this is the cost of healthy foods

Walmart's study also rated moms' top three back-to-school purchases, which were clothes, shoes and backpacks.

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