Stores, back-to-school shoppers gear up for tax-free week

As swarms of back-to-school shoppers have started to appear at stores across the country, stores at Westfield Montgomery Mall are bracing for an added rush when Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week kicks off on Aug. 11.

At children’s clothing store Hanna Andersson, assistant manager Keshelle Sims said the back-to-school crowds started coming out about two weeks ago in preparation for the earlier start dates at many of the area’s private schools.

But Sims said the store is expecting a big rush in the coming week as shoppers look to take advantage of a few days without state sales tax on clothes and footwear priced under $100. 

“I actually have parents who are coming in this weekend because they want to avoid the rushes,” Sims said.

The assistant manager said back-to-school shoppers should be on the look out for the sales and added perks, like free shipping, that many stores offer this time of year, and to do your homework before you go.

“Know what you want and need and keep your options open,” Sims said. “Let the sales people kind of show you what’s in and what’s available … Lots of stores have lots of options right now.”

For shopper Karen Sharp and her daughter, Sydney, the preparation for back-to-school shopping starts at home, with going through closets and drawers to see what still fits, getting rid of what doesn’t and figuring out what’s left.

“Then we can assess, ‘What do you really need?’” Karen Sharp said. “Because there’s no need to get another pair of blue jeans when you have blue jeans at home that fit.”

Saturday marked the first round of back-to-school shopping for the Sharps, and Sydney had her sights set on some of the latest styles, including drop-crotch pants and Dr. Martens, to get her ready for her freshman year at Montgomery Blair High School.

She left the strategy up to her mom, who said it’s all about shopping around, comparing prices and looking for the deals.

“We’re seeing some of things that [Sydney] likes, but we’re going to other stores to compare the price,” Karen Sharp said. “I’m about getting a deal at this point, because times are hard, money’s tight. So it’s comparison shopping.”

Another tip the Sharps offered for back-to-school shoppers is to have an idea what you’re looking for before you go in order to avoid buying items that might end up sitting in the closet and being a waste of money.

“Really figure out what your style is before you go out shopping … [or] you’ll end up picking up things you really don’t like,” Karen Sharp said. “Focus in on the store that you want to go into, because you can get overwhelmed with all these stores in the mall, and then just stay focused on your style.”

Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week is set to run Aug. 11 through Aug. 17.