Okay, I know what you’re thinking. The kids just got out of school for summer break. Why is SampleSecure focusing on Back to School now?

Well, for one thing – it’s a recession proof event. Kids go back to school in September, no matter what state the economy happens to be in and if money is tight, parents may need some extra lead time to make all the purchases they need to get their little darlings ready to leave the nest!

What’s on the list? Clothes, School Supplies, Foods for lunches and snacks, Furniture, (if your child is going to college), Latest Tech Gear – phones, notebooks and I-tunes.

Here are a few ideas for retailers looking to make the grade on Back to School:

Straight A Strut – Good for teen clothing stores, mass merchandisers and department stores. Register students in your store for a chance to Strut their Smarts when they make straight A’s. Reward students with a gift card - $25 – for each straight A report card. Get their e mail addresses to send updates about the store’s pre-teen/teen events.

Reading, Writing and Rapping – Rap is officially 25 years old and is part of America’s music culture. The Concert Group offers a unique tour and school assembly music program that spotlights rap as an important part of American music development. A retailer could buy the 50-city urban tour for $2 million, re-sell it to key suppliers for $5 million and provide customized school prize packages, (school concert, “how I got my start” stay-in-school motivation, etc.) along with in-store signings and photo opportunities, signed merchandise give aways, etc.

The Student Body – I know what you’re thinking but it’s really a food program. Quality lunch and snack choices that are low calorie, nutritious and delicious to nourish a student’s body is imperative for students. A private label –teen cuisine – line could help kids make the right food choices. Sampling Events – One of the best ways to get kids to like it is to get them to try it. Have a special kids/teen food sampling event in progress during peak back to school buying times.

Action Awareness Program – Customers/Teachers can nominate kids/teens who are making a difference in their community. This could be any 8-18 year old from a Boy Scout to candy striper. Weekly/Monthly selections can be published on the store’s website. Rewards - $5 gift card.

Teacher of the Week Program – same as above, but the students do the nominating.

Tech & Science - Tech gear stores should think about sponsoring a local Science Fair that gives today’s students a chance to show how they are creatively using new tech gear to improve their life, studies, the world, etc.

Fill'er Up - College Bound Kids will either drive or fly to their universities - a good opportunity for a Gas Rewards Program – buy 20 fill ups and the 21st is free and for luggage companies to display the current approved for travel suitcases/steamer trunks at student prices.

The Back Pack Give Back – Every time school supplies are purchased, the store matches one item on the customer’s list which is then allocated to kids who can’t afford clothes and supplies. Retailers can approach the back pack companies for bag donations.

To learn more about these ideas and how SampleSecure.com can help you fulfill all your Back to School marketing needs, contact Retex Member Care.