It’s only July, but major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon are already rolling out full-scale back-to-school and college shopping campaigns for 2025. From colored pencils to coffee makers, brands are launching early to stay ahead of the curve—and in the minds (and carts) of shoppers.
Why the early push?
Because this season is big business. The National Retail Federation reports that families with K-12 students and college-age kids spent over $110 billion combined in 2024. Getting in front of consumers early isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must for brands looking to capture wallet share.
If you're not already planning your back-to-school campaigns, you're falling behind. Here are some ideas to get you started now and throughout the season.
1. Email Marketing That Converts
Parents and students are actively researching, comparing, and building shopping lists. Use email to:
Launch segmented email campaigns based on product categories (school supplies, apparel, dorm gear)
Send triggered emails to re-engage site visitors who abandoned carts or browsed key back-to-school categories
Personalize messaging with product recommendations tailored to each shopper's behavior
2. Programmatic Ads That Reach the Right Shoppers
Run precision-targeted display, video, audio and social ads to drive awareness and conversions:
Use geo-targeting to reach shoppers near your physical stores or competitors’ locations
Serve ads across channels—DOOH, OTT/CTV, digital display—based on behavioral and contextual data
Retarget visitors across the web to stay top-of-mind as they compare options
3. MarTech Tools That Turn Browsers Into Buyers
Make the most of every site visit with onsite engagement tools:
Display pop-ups and overlays offering limited-time back-to-school deals
Deploy smart exit intent offers to prevent cart abandonment
Track performance with real-time reporting to optimize campaign spend
Start now, optimize later – Early campaigns create awareness and let you test what’s working before peak season hits in August.
Segment your audience – Speak directly to parents, college students, or teachers with messaging tailored to their needs.
Highlight deals and deadlines – Shoppers are value-driven this season—make promotions clear and time-sensitive.
Ready to make this your most successful back-to-school season yet?
Let us help you launch smarter campaigns that drive real results. Contact us today to activate your strategy across email, ads, and martech solutions. Let's chat!