Top Selling School Supplies for Your School Store

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Student Supply

In order to have constant income flowing into your school store, you will need to keep the most popular school supplies in stock at all times. Student shoppers will frequent the school store when they need to replenish supplies or when they see something new and exciting offered!

Customized pencils will be one of the largest sellers at your school store. Students Pencils are frequently lost or broken and being able to replace them at any time of day is important. Custom pencils can be designed in school colors and with the school mascot imprinted on them. For those students who feel that a regular pencil isn’t the best writing tool, customized mechanical pencils will be big sellers as well. Both types of pencils can be customized in school colors, with different images and sayings on each. These customized products are exclusive items for your school store.

Pocket folders are another common item in the school supplies section. Every student needs pocket folders; they are an essential part of learning organizational skills. The student who doesn’t have a pocket folder for every class will find themselves plagued by missing homework, misplaced report cards and forgotten permission slips. These pocket folders are available in multiple colors and styles.  You can even customize school folders with school name and mascot.  Keep a steady stock of school folders available as students will need replacements through out the year; especially at semester time when classes change.

Report folders are another popular school supply item. These common folders are designed with both pockets and prongs to hold reports that students submit in a bound fashion, preventing the need to have staples.

Pencil pouches are another frequently purchased item. Students who are learning organizational skills will find these pouches to be invaluable. Many of these designs can be clipped into the student’s binder, making them easy to bring along. Students will want a pencil pouch in every binder they carry.  School pencil pouches come in a wide variety of colors and can be custom printed with your school’s mascot.

Pencil boxes are another organizational item and a necessity especially in elementary school. Not just for pencils, many students will want a variety of school boxes to keep in their lockers or book bags, stocked with the everyday things that they will need while they’re in school.

School stores should be well stocked with these and other basic school supplies in order to insure that students have a place to go for school necessities.   Draw student shoppers with the basic school supplies and keep them coming back by offering new, exciting and exclusive school store merchandise.

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    Magnetic Locker Accessories for the Stylish yet Functional School Locker

    Posted on May 24, 2012 by Student Supply

    A school locker should be both stylish and functional. Students of all ages want their school lockers to be cool and visually appealing. Bright colors can really spruce up a locker! Magnetic locker accessories are one way to brighten up a drab locker and organize space at the same time.

    Magnetic frames, mirrors and button magnets allow students to make use of the inside of their locker doors. A basic school locker can be transformed into a functional space with the right accessories.

    The most simplistic accessory for the inside of a locker is the locker magnet. These are simple locker magnets that come in a variety of colors. They can be used to hang papers, pictures, and other items on any flat surface of the locker. These magnets are stylish and much more interesting than using adhesive tape to hang with.

    Magnets take up less room than magnetic picture frames. Some students may prefer these, while others prefer frames. Most will use a combination of these products to design a stylish locker.

    Magnetic mirrors are small mirrors fitted with magnets on the back. Students can check All students want to look their best so locker mirrors are extremely popular in high schools & gym class where lockers are used.

    Students love to display pictures of friends, family and themselves and what better way than magnetic picture frames made especially for lockers.  Magnetic picture frames make a student locker unique.

    Magnetic pencil cups are super functional as they allow students an organized area  inside their locker to keep pencils, pens and other school supplies. While made for writing utensils, these cups are great for storing any number of items; keys, earrings, lunch money and more.

    When students combine two or more of the magnetic locker accessories listed here, they can add style to their lockers while making their space more functional. These accessories come in handy for organized students but they’re are also quite popular with students that just love to decorate.

    Parents are typically willing to purchase magnetic locker accessories because they are affordable and provide clear benefit to their children.  Locker accessories are a smart idea for your school store.

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      Popular School Supplies for Back to School

      Posted on May 23, 2012 by Student Supply

      Teachers are ready to meet their new students and start teaching. The lockers are ready to be filled with backpacks. The principal is excited to kickoff a new school year. Everything is ready for the children to return from summer break, but is your school store filled with school supplies? Have you stocked the shelves with merchandise kids will need to buy when they hit the halls? If not, right now is the time to get these popular school supplies and put your school store in the back to school spirit. You can place your order now and have it delivered whenever you like.  You won’t be billed until your order ships.

      You cannot have a proper back to school launch without an assortment of writing utensils.  After all, students are required to bring pencils to class, right? Many students may not have the cash in hand to purchase t-shirts and other higher priced items in your store, but the majority will stop in for a pencil or a highlighter when they are in need. If you can supply these things, then you can do big business with these small essentials.

      Start your merchandise list with customized school pencils.  Pencils with the name of your school can be ordered in bulk inexpensively and they are extremely popular with kids of all ages. If you have an assortment in your school store, you will find students stopping in all the time when they need a new pencil.

      Follow up with mechanical pencils, since many kids prefer them over pencils that have to be sharpened. .7mm mechanical pencils are the most popular for school.  You may not need as many of these pencils as you do customized pencils, but your store will do well with a nice assortment. Again, you can order them in bulk at rather affordable prices.  Make sure you offer lead refills along side mechanical pencils as students will certainly look for refills.

      Finally, make sure your writing utensil section includes highlighters of varying colors. You may go with standard yellow highlighters, but many kids do prefer pink, blue, or orange. Think about what is on the school supplies list for your school when determining the basic colors to offer in this department.

      Book covers for textbooks are standard on most school supply lists. Not only do they protect books from damage, but it allows students can express a bit of personality. Stretch Fabric book covers are washable, re-usable and come in many sizes, patterns and solid colors.  There are also personalized book covers available that can be imprinted with the name of your school, your school mascot, or any design you like.

      Pencils, mechanical pencils, sharpeners and erasers are among the most popular school supplies for all school stores, but you will find that other items are incredibly popular at your school. For upper grades, having decorative items for lockers will make the store quite popular.  Parents appreciate it when kids can pick up needed school supplies at school, so they do not have to make a special trip to the school store.

      Start with the basic school supplies listed here and then think about what your students need and want to fill the rest of your shelves.

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        Payment processing in your school store. Part 2

        Posted on May 17, 2012 by Student Supply

        In part one we discussed the Big Daddy of credit card processing; merchant accounts. There was a time when we lived in a single alternative world. That time is no more. Today the alternatives they are aplenty, and have seriously taken a big slice of the pie. One of those alternatives is PayPal.

        The biggest advantage to PayPal as a processing service for accepting credit cards is simplicity. The account is simple to setup, simple to administer, and simple to use. The criteria necessary to qualify for an account are also set at a much lower threshold than that of merchant accounts. Basically, anybody can setup a PayPal account.

        There are three types of accounts available through PayPal; Personal, Premiere, and Business. You can ignore the first option, as a Personal account cannot be used to process payments. It is strictly a “play” account. That leaves Premiere and Business. Either can be used to process payments for your school store. Which you choose is a matter of needs and personal preference.

        The biggest advantage to a Business account over a Premiere account is that you can use a Taxpayer Identification Number, (TIN), to setup the account rather than your Social Security number. You can also assign a business name to the account. In addition, by adding Payments Pro to the account you can use a physical terminal just as is the case with a merchant account. However, business accounts garner closer scrutiny from PayPal and are subject to more stringent criteria.

        Many people already have a Premiere account, so for many this may be the best option. HOWEVER, if you are going to use a Premiere account it must be one dedicated to store business only. The co-mingling of funds is a bad idea for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it creates accounting nightmares.

        Now, the downside. In order to accept PayPal with a Premiere account, you need a web site. This is because, in the absence of a physical terminal – which requires a Business account and a PayPal Pro account – it is a buyer initiated process requiring the input of personal user information, specifically eMail address and password. If you have one, good for you. It’s a relatively simple matter to add Buy Now buttons to your products. If you don’t have a web site, maybe you should, (more about that in the future).

        You need a web site. Or do you? Not anymore! PayPal is now competing for those processing dollars in the mobile market and is offering a card swipe device and app for Smartphones. It is called the “Here” smartphone reader, and is currently available for Android and iPhone products. There is a flat 2.7% processing fee, (competitive, but slightly higher than a merchant account), and no other costs involved.

        For more reading about the device, head here: https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/credit-card-reader. There is even a video demo at that link demonstrating just how simple it is to use.

        Again, as is the case with a merchant account, the watch word is SECURITY! Access to credit card and processing information should be strictly controlled and monitored.

        Student Supply is your school fundraising partner.

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          Custom School Backpacks for Your School Store

          Posted on May 4, 2012 by Student Supply

          With school budgets being tight, fundraising is a common way to make extra money. Fundraising opportunities exist everywhere, and are frequently stressed as a means for providing extra money to a school system. If your school has its own school store, consider adding custom school backpacks to your array of products.

          The school store is an excellent way to earn extra money for school. Products sold in the school store are often found nowhere else. A school that promotes school pride will have students eager to display their school colors on anything imaginable. With such customized items as nylon drawstring backpacks or zippered pencil pouches, your school store can help meet fundraising goals.

          Drawstring backpacks are an excellent fundraising opportunity for school. These bags are small and lightweight. They’re easy to open and close. They’re tough and can hold many schools supplies.  It’s the perfect bag for gym clothes! Students can use it as a second backpack for those schools that have “A” & “B” day class schedules.

          Have school backpacks available at the beginning of each semester. Once a few backpacks sell and are seen around school, all students will want one!  In the fall, these school backpacks can be sold to the eager incoming class. Others can be kept in the school store for year-round purchase.

          Custom school backpacks are commonly ordered in the school’s colors. However, the school doesn’t need to be limited to only one color. Backpacks are available in many school colors.  If your school colors are red and blue, mix it up; order some blue bags and others can be red. This will provide variety, and students may want to purchase all the available colors to have a selection.

          Drawstring backpacks are easy to order.  Submit your school name and or message along with your school mascot.  Email your school mascot in black & white jpeg format or choose a school mascot from the list available.  Your custom school backpacks will be truly unique.

          School backpacks can be ordered in bulk and kept in stock for a long time. They take up very little space in boxes on shelves, and can be easily displayed in a school store or for a fundraiser at the beginning of semesters.

          Consider adding custom school backpacks to your school’s lineup of spirit gear today.

          800-426-6351

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            Pre Packaged School Supplies; the Perfect “Back to School” School Fundraiser

            Posted on May 2, 2012 by Student Supply

            Acquiring school supplies for back to school can be a major headache for parents and schools.  Typically a parent will have to shop several stores to get everything on a class room supply list.  Schools collect and distribute up-to-date supply lists containing all the information for individual teachers to all the area stores which can become problematic. Some schools even order school supplies in bulk and then have to sort everything out and manufacture their own school supply packs.

            School supply packs will reduce the headache and hassle for parents and schools.  Every school has a tight budget. When used correctly, school supply packs can be your smart “Back to School” school fundraising choice.

            These packages take the headache out of mass ordering in several ways. The order form has over 100 different elements commonly needed for back to school. The school simply selects what they need from the list. Each school supply pack that is ordered comes in its own individual box that is clearly labeled. All the school needs to do is distribute the appropriately marked box to a student who has ordered school supplies.

            Fundraising is an excellent way to earn extra money for a school system. As your smart “Back to School” fundraising choice, school supply packs are designed to be easy to sell… The school selects the school supplies needed for a specific grade, and the worksheet automatically calculates cost per supply pack and potential profit.

            As with any fundraiser, up front cost is always an issue with public schools. As your smart “Back to School” school fundraising choice, school supply packs ordered from studentsupply.com don’t have to be paid for upfront. The school does not have to remit payment on the packages until thirty days after delivery. This gives the school plenty of time to collect payment from students or parents. Shipping is free in the contiguous United States.

            These packs can be your smart “Back to School” school fundraising choice in several ways. Schools may order a number of school supply packs and inform parents that they may be paid for and picked up at the school at a certain time; possibly the week before school starts, or even the first week of school. Any packs not purchased by students can always be opened and the contents placed for sale at normal prices in the school store.

            Pre sell school supply packs in the spring by sending home parent order forms listing the contents of the pack and the cost.  Once they see what all is included for the price, parents will realize how great the savings are. Advertising encourages parents to pre order the supply pack for delivery at the start of the fall semester.

            School supply packs may also be sold outright in the classroom. This option can be mentioned on the school supply lists sent out to the different stores. Such easy advertising techniques will allow extra packages to be sold at your school. School Supply Packs are a smart school fundraising choice and have the potential to raise a lot of funds for your school while saving parents money and time.

            800-426-6351

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              Custom School Backpacks are a Great School Fundraiser

              Posted on April 25, 2012 by Student Supply

              Selling school backpacks as a school fundraiser is a great way to generate some funding for your school. Most students use a backpack everyday.  They carry all kinds of personal belongings including school supplies and gym clothes. Parents will be more willing to purchase a custom school backpack for their child.

              As a school fundraiser, it’s a good idea to offer backpacks unique to your school that are cost effective an offer quality and durability. Drawstring backpacks are simple to use; there are no zippers; only a drawstring to cinch the pack closed. They’re attractive as they are imprinted with your school name and mascot.  Best of all, the price is very competitive.

              The idea of a personalized backpack gives students a way to show their school pride.  School pride is contagious and soon all students will want a school backpack.  Now you have a product unique to your school that students can’t get anywhere else and your backpack fundraiser will really take off!

              There will always be a need for school backpacks and you will want to keep them in stock. Typically, local retailers carry backpacks only for back to school so make them available in your school store all year and when a child needs a replacement, they can get one right away.  Parents will appreciate the convenience.

              Since you can order custom imprinted school backpacks at volume pricing, the more you order, the lower the cost.  The lower your cost, the higher your school fundraising profit.  With as much as 50% off the suggested retail price, you can more than double your profits with each backpack you sell. You will have the chance to generate a considerable amount of profit in a very short period of time.

              Choose your backpack color, the imprint color and decide on the school mascot you’d like to use.  Your unique imprint will be created and sent for your approval.  Placing an order for custom imprint products is easy online or by phone 800-426-6351.  You are going to find that these backpacks can pretty much sell themselves, you will just need to keep your shelves stocked and let the students know that they are available.

              The sooner you order, the sooner you see your school fundraising $$$!

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                School Dog Tags Build School Spirit

                Posted on April 20, 2012 by Student Supply

                Custom Imprinted dog tags can become an amazing school fundraiser if properly advertised to students. School dog tags can be sold in the school store, offered as a fundraiser for certain events, and even given away as an award.

                Get school spirit going with school dog tags.  The best selling school dog tags are usually very basic; an aluminum tag imprinted with the school’s name and mascot.  Change up the design from time to time to get students excited about collecting all their school dog tags.  Dog tags for are available in many colors. The most common colors are silver and gold. Designs are custom made by the school.  The name of the school can be printed across the top or bottom of the mascot or in a circle surrounding the mascot. There is also the option of a multi-color imprint.

                Aside from wearing dog tags on a chain around your neck, they can also be attached to backpacks, duffel bags and key chains.  Students can turn dog tags into zipper pulls for jackets or purses.  Promoting creative ways to wear school dog tags will get students and teachers excited about purchasing more than one dog tag to display.

                School dog tags can be a true moneymakers for school fundraising.  Order school dog tags for special events.  Award ceremonies, academic competitions or specific school functions are the perfect opportunity to offer imprinted dog tags. Any message or any design can be imprinted to suit your needs.

                A popular time for dog tags is graduation.  Have school dog tags imprinted with the graduation year.  Have 3 or even 4 different years imprinted; freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors will all be proud to wear the year of their graduation.  Individual sports teams can have their own dog tags imprinted.  Kids with lots of school spirit will want to have one for each popular sport the school participates in.

                For special events, school dog tags will make wonderful fundraising opportunities. Other custom events that can have dog tags sold for include field trips, prom, and special after-school events such as dances.

                Finally, the school can promote further collection of dog tags by giving special versions of dog tags for kids away as rewards. Achievements such as perfect attendance and honor roll are wonderful opportunities to give rewards to students who have earned them. Having these dog tags available may also encourage other students to do better in school so that they can get these dog tags for their collection too.

                 

                 

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                  School Stores and Websites

                  Posted on April 10, 2012 by Student Supply

                  Part One

                  Does your school store have a web presence? If you run a centralized store in a larger school district, it may be something for you to consider. Even if you aren’t in a larger district, you may also want to consider it as a way to expand your customer base. Plenty of organizations outside your school could use your school supply products and your expertise.

                  In the early days of the Internet an eCommerce web presence was a complicated and costly undertaking. There were few alternatives for shopping cart software and they were all commercial products. Facing very little competition in the marketplace, they could get away with charging whatever they wanted.

                  There were few web hosts offering their services, and the technology to do so was expensive. Bandwidth, memory, and storage capacity did not come cheap. There were even fewer web site domain name registrars – one to be exact – so even grabbing your domain name real estate cost a chunk of change.

                  Through the powerful market force known as competition and the natural downward spiral of technology costs, a web presence is now more doable than at any other time in history. The software involved in operating an eCommerce site has also become much more user friendly. You no longer have to be a Geek to understand the administrative functions, (the back room), of your web site.

                  There are three basic elements that go in to your web presence:

                  Domain name, hosting, and shopping cart software.

                  Domain name registration costs around $11 a year these days. In the beginning, this was $70 a year. Don’t you love competition? Hosting with a good, reputable company should run you less than $150 a year. But take note: Most of the hosting company reviews you see out there in web land are phony, written by affiliates. Rather than rely on this, seek recommendations from experienced eCommerce site owners.

                  An additional note: If your school district already has a web site, perhaps you could piggyback your school store on that site. From a technology standpoint, this is relatively easy to do and you would be eliminating the domain registration and hosting costs. It couldn’t hurt to discuss the possibility with your school administration.

                  The final basic element to eCommerce is the shopping cart software. The cost for a suitable solution is anywhere between free, (that’s right, I said FREE), and several thousand dollars. More about this element in an upcoming installment.

                  studentsupply.com is your school fundraising partner!

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                    Mechanical Pencils for Your School Store

                    Posted on March 22, 2012 by Student Supply

                    Mechanical pencils are usually made from plastic and have a receptacle to store graphite lead.  They are favored by students for many reasons:  They are economical; typically there are 3 leads in a mechanical pencil, they’re practical because they never need sharpening; just advance the lead for a fresh sharp point.  Mechanical pencils last a long time because they can be refilled.  Mechanical pencils come in several point sizes; while .7mm lead is the standard, there is also .5mm lead for fine writing and .9mm lead for a broader write.

                    Mechanical pencils are available in many different designs and colors ranging from NFL or assorted professional sports to standard Bic Mechanical Pencils and Papermate Mechanical Pencils.  There are mini and earth friendly mechanical pencils.  Choose a “side click” or “click top” lead advance style.  Many customers prefer a mechanical pencil with a built in grip like the Metallic Grip Mechanical Pencil.

                    Bic Mechanical Pencils, like many other items in school stores can be imprinted with your school’s name and mascot. These can be used for motivational awards, such as student of the week awards. Custom imprinted mechanical pencils are an excellent school supply item for your school store.

                    School store supplies are usually found in catalogs or online.  One of the best sources that works closely with schools nationwide is studentsupply.com. This website specializes in handling all types of motivational and organizational school supplies. Many of these products can be imprinted or designed with specific logos and colors to boost interest in schools and raise funds for various projects or field trips.

                    Have mechanical pencils available for use in the classroom as well as in the school store so students and teachers alike can to use them in every day classroom work.  In your school store, feature mechanical pencils in a highly visible location because students always need something to write with!  Be sure to have plenty of lead refills to sell right beside the pencils.  This insures your customers will come back to you when their mechanical pencil is empty.

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