In Australia, the back to school season begins in late January and runs through early February. This year, students in Tasmania and South Australia will return to school on February 6, while others, like those in Victoria and Queensland, start as early as January 28. With a short window to prepare, this is a prime opportunity for retailers to attract parents and students shopping for essentials.
The back to school sale in Australia for 2025 is set to cross $1.7b (AUD$2.7b), a massive 5.9% increase from 2024. Studies show that around 5.1 million Aussies plan to spend an average of $525 on back to school items!
So, what are shoppers buying the most? Here’s a look at the top categories:
- Stationery: 55%
- School uniforms: 53%
- Footwear: 50%
- Books: 40%
With such high demand, how can you stand out and boost your sales this season? In this blog, we will look at the latest trends, must-have product categories, and proven strategies to help e-commerce retailers maximize their success in the Australian back to school market.
Understanding How the Back to School Sale Impacts Australian E-commerce
The Back to school sale refers to the surge in demand for school supplies leading up to the new academic year. As students in Australia prepare to return to classrooms, retailers can capitalize on this concentrated shopping period and engage with eager customers in this quarter.
A survey found that 44% of surveyors will spend more than they did in the back to school sale in 2024, while 23% will remain the same. These numbers are mainly driven by inflation and population growth.
The survey also revealed that women are the primary decision-makers for 74% of back to school purchases. Sellers must focus on creating direct marketing campaigns to resonate better with this demographic. Also, due to economic constraints, Australian consumers are looking for better value at an affordable price. You must offer discounts or bundle deals to attract price-sensitive shoppers.
Highlights for Back to School Sale 2025 in Australia
According to the Australian Retailers Association, back to school purchases will generate $2.7 billion in sales in 2025! A survey indicates that more than 5 million Aussies aged over 18 are planning to spend $525 on back to school items in 2025, with a hike from $512 in 2024.
Of the predicted sales, 59% will come from primary school products, 50% from high school, and another 9% from university goods. The most important demographic you should not ignore is the 35–49-year-old Aussies, who are set to be the top spenders in the back to school sale in 2025, with an estimated average spend of $600 each! It’s clear that they will spend more, as they often have established careers and usually purchase school essentials for their children.
However, while back to school spending is rising, many families feel the strain. Research shows that nearly 29% of parents with school-aged children struggle to afford back to school essentials. Offering flexible payment options, discounts, or budget-friendly bundles can make a real difference for these shoppers while helping your business stand out.
Retail Strategies for Back to School Sale 2025 in Australia
While demand for specific categories of products increases during the back to school sale, e-commerce retailers must adopt some strategies to meet this surge.
Analyze Data and Historical Trends
You must analyze the data from back to school sale 2024 to map out the trends and patterns. Historical sale data includes examining which products sold well and during which timeframes.
Conduct Market Research and Surveys
Did you know that only 2% of the students purchase school supplies? While the product categories cater to school children, the parents make the purchase decisions. You must conduct targeted surveys and polls to understand custom preferences. This direct feedback allows for more accurate forecasting.
Have an Omni-channel Presence
With 65% of consumers planning to shop in-store and 33% opting for online shopping, a well-balanced strategy is key. Tailoring promotions for both channels and showcasing essential items in your marketing can boost engagement and drive conversions.
A study found that more than 46% of shoppers from Western Australia and 40% from South Australia (40%) plan to buy the supplies in-store. This contrasts with New South Wales, where 76% of shoppers prefer in-store purchases.
Manage your Inventory Effectively
Efficient inventory management can minimize excess stock, reduce storage costs, and meet customer demand promptly. Overstocking can lead to financial losses due to unsold goods, while understocking can result in missed sales opportunities.
Locad’s smart inventory management system helps you lock inventory, set it aside as reserved, sellable, and buffer, and meet the surge in demand without fail. With SKU mapping, you can get real-time reports on the status of your inventory level and forecast demand.
Running out of stock or overstocking?
Stay in control with Locad’s smart inventory management! Track, store, and replenish easily—so you never miss a sale.
Sales Tips on Sourcing Popular Items for Back to School Sale 2025 in Australia
With the back to school season just around the corner, you need to stock up on in-demand items. Here’s everything you need to know, from must-have product categories and smart pricing strategies to effective marketing tactics and post-sale retention tips to help you maximize sales during this high-traffic period.
| Category | Popular Products |
| Stationery | Bags, Notebooks, Pens, Pencils, Folders, Art Supplies |
| School Uniforms | Shirts, Pants, Jackets, Shoes |
| Tech Equipment | Laptops, Tablets, Calculators, Headphones |
| Lunchboxes & Water Bottles | Insulated Lunchboxes, Bento Boxes, Reusable Bottles |
- Start Early: Many parents begin back to school shopping as early as late December or early January. Launch promotions ahead of time to capture early buyers.
- Package Wisely: Make shopping easier with pre-packaged sets such as a “Back-to-School Essentials Kit” (notebooks, pens, backpack) at a discounted price. It not only makes purchasing easier but also maximizes your average order value.
- Stay Competitive: Monitor competitor pricing on popular items. If notebooks sell for $2.50, match or slightly undercut the price while emphasizing better quality or added value.
- Encourage Bulk Purchases: Offer deals like “Buy 3, Get 1 Free” on frequently bought items to encourage higher spending.
- Discount Uniform Sets: Make full school uniforms more affordable by offering bundle discounts compared to buying pieces individually.
- Leverage Social Proof: Highlight positive customer reviews showcasing the quality and durability of your products to build trust.
- Engage with Email Marketing: Send personalized promotions and exclusive discounts to parents. Surprise deals and limited-time offers can create urgency and drive conversions.
So, Why Choose Fulfillment By Locad For Back To School Sale 2025 in Australia?
Here are some of the key challenges you might face as a seller during this period and how Locad can help you tackle them:
Inventory Management
Underestimating demand can lead to shortages and missed sales opportunities while overstocking can result in financial losses due to unsold inventory.
Locad offers an inventory management system that provides real-time data analytics and ways to manage demand. This enables you to track sales trends and adjust inventory levels accordingly, helping you make quick decisions about stock replenishment based on current demand patterns.
Want to stay ahead of demand?
Partner with Locad to track your inventory levels in real-time and make quick decisions!
Freight Management
Most stationery items, such as pens and pencils, come from one key place: China. Chinese wholesalers play a big role by offering these products at affordable prices, which helps Australian retailers keep costs down and offer great deals to customers.
With Locad, managing inventory and logistics gets easier. We help you track stock easily, move products from China to Australia, and provide labeling services that add a localized product appeal to Australian customers. This way, retailers can fulfill demand quickly and efficiently, especially during busy times.
Distributed Warehousing
With 7.7 million sq. km of land, delivering across Australia isn’t easy. Urban congestion, remote areas, and high warehouse costs in cities like Sydney and Melbourne add to the challenge.
Locad operates a network of fulfillment centers strategically located across major Australian cities, such as Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. By utilizing these centers, you can ensure faster delivery times by being closer to major population hubs.
Over 72% of the Australian population resides on the Gold Coast!
Stay closer to your customers with Locad’s distributed warehouses across Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane!
Timely Dispatch
Rush hours during back to school sales leave no room for error. You must ensure that orders are picked, packed, and kept ready to be shipped within a tight timeframe, often within hours of receiving the order.
Locad offers same-day pick and pack, same/nextday delivery which ensures that your orders are processed and dispatched on time. This is crucial when you have a tight deadline and high demand.
Last-Mile Delivery
Inefficient last-mile delivery can lead to delays, increased costs, and customer dissatisfaction during peak sales periods such as the back to school sale.
With Locad’s partnership with multiple last-mile carriers, you can reach your customers quickly. Moreover, the Locad logistics engine auto-assigns the most affordable carrier to cut down transit costs and improve efficiency.
Last-mile delivery accounts for up to 53% of total shipping costs!
Partner with Locad and let our logistics engine auto-assign the most cost-effective last-mile carrier
Batch Management
Inefficient order fulfillment can lead to delayed shipments, dissatisfied customers, and increased operational costs. You may struggle to meet customer expectations for fast delivery times, especially during high-demand periods.
Batch management ensures that the pick and pack process is streamlined without any errors. Locad also helps you to create customizable bundles tailored to specific customer needs or seasonal trends
SLA Maintenance
During the back to school season, customers want their products to be delivered quickly and efficiently, and most prefer same-day or next-day delivery. This pressure means that you need to process and ship orders without delay.
Locad offers 100% SLA compliance, ensuring every order is fulfilled on time and up to marketplace standards. This helps you maintain customer satisfaction during peak shopping periods.
Maximize Your Back to School Sale in Australia 2025
Back to school sale 2025 in Australia is expected to generate over $2.7 billion in sales, with an average spend of $525 per shopper. You can capitalize on this high-traffic period by analyzing trends, optimizing inventory, and streamlining logistics.
As consumers look for convenience and value, efficient fulfillment and customer satisfaction will help drive sales and lead to long-term loyalty.
With the right strategy and reliable fulfillment, you can increase sales and enhance customer satisfaction, making this back to school season your most successful!
