03/09/2025
It’s the time of year that every parent asks, “when do kids go back to school?” But it’s not just parents who are thinking about back to school. The season also sees university and adult students taking to retail stores to prepare for the semester ahead.
In 2024, about 22% of people in the U.K. participated in some form of back-to-school shopping and the European back-to-school market is expected to see a compound annual growth rate of 4.5% from 2025 to 2030. Without a doubt, back-to-school is a retail peak season that should be taken seriously by retailers.
Like any other holiday, it’s important that businesses develop a retail peak season strategy to take full advantage of the back-to-school rush. This strategy should consider back-to-school retail trends specifically and retail trends in 2025 more generally. For example, have you heard the term “vibecession”? Economists use it to convey the economic anxieties held by the average consumer that resulted in a decrease in spending last year.
This year, with inflation finally easing up, European and U.K. retail trends suggest that consumer attitudes are becoming more positive once more. It's the perfect time to hone your peak season strategy to make the most of the remaining days of the back-to-school season and be prepared for upcoming retail peaks (the holidays are just around the corner).
In this article, you’ll find trends, challenges, retail opportunities, and suggestions on how to take advantage of the back-to-school shopping rush.
Back-to-School Shopping Challenges Retailers Must Prepare For
With the back-to-school season in full swing, retailers must be prepared to tackle a variety of peak season logistics challenges. Here are the top three impacting businesses:
1. Increased demand for deliveries.
Back-to-school shoppers often rely on e-commerce for their school supplies. This surge in orders can put a strain on logistical operations, leading to potential delays and other delivery issues. Delivery capacity planning is critical for back-to-school and every other peak season as well.
2. Stock shortages.
During any retail peak, popular items of the season fly off the shelves quickly. It's crucial to accurately predict and maintain your inventory levels to avoid disappointing customers with out-of-stock items.
3. Tight timelines.
Back-to-school purchases are often made last-minute, right at the start of the school year. Business owners must have efficient systems in place to quickly process orders and meet tight deadlines.
Back-to-School Shopping Trends and Consumer Behaviour in 2025
Knowing the current back-to-school retail trends can help you stay ahead of the curve and make the most of the season. One major trend the industry is seeing is the rise of hybrid shopping, where consumers seamlessly switch between shopping online and in-store. Interestingly enough, more people are choosing to shop in physical locations than online; global offline channel sales of back-to-school products accounted for a 61.54% revenue share in 2024.
Personalisation is also becoming increasingly important for consumers, with many seeking products that reflect their unique tastes and preferences. Retailers can tap into this trend by offering customisation options or curated product recommendations based on shopper preferences. Don’t forget eco-conscious options. Back-to-school shoppers are seeking greener selections every year, and catering to this demographic could help businesses boom.
Lastly, consumers value transparency in pricing and delivery timelines, as well as the flexibility to choose delivery dates and methods that suit their schedules. On-demand delivery is a must for retailers who want to remain competitive.
Tips to Optimise the Back-to-School Experience
Back-to-school is a golden opportunity for retailers, so it’s worth it to offer customers the most seamless shopping experience possible. Here are some back-to-school shopping tips that will have your customers returning year after year.
1. Offer shopping time slots.
For your physical locations, consider creating bookable time slots to ease pressure during peak times, appeal to busy parents, and be able to better staff your shop.
2. Simplify your customers’ experience.
Bundle your products by grade level or age group to help customers buy everything they need in one quick trip or click.
3. Communicate with customers proactively.
Use your social media channels, marketing emails, and in-store signage to clearly communicate offer start and end dates, answers to FAQs, and any other info your customers might need to make shopping simple.
4. Get fulfilment-ready.
With more and more customers expecting the convenience of next-day delivery or click-and-collect, it’s incredibly important to ensure your stock, delivery, and online systems are aligned.
How to Turn Delivery Challenges into Customer Wins
Last-mile delivery issues during the back-to-school season can cause your customer base to choose your competitors over your business next year. Rising last-mile costs, slow or unpredictable arrival times, and limited tracking all prevent retailers from providing customers with reliable service.
But these hurdles don’t have to be roadblocks to your peak season success. In fact, solving them strategically can become a way to leave customers excited to return.
European retailers and e-commerce businesses have had to navigate last-mile delivery costs up to 90% higher than last year. Innovative last-mile delivery solutions like Stuart, can help your business gain an edge without the hefty price tag.
We tailor delivery solutions to your specific needs and offer affordable pricing with no hidden fees, so you don’t have to rely on costly marketplaces to get your products to your customers. Plus, our platform helps businesses get orders to shoppers fast with 30-minute delivery and scheduled delivery options.
How Stuart Helps Retailers and E-commerce Deliver Smarter During Back-to-School
If you’re searching for retail shipping solutions during the back-to-school season (and beyond), Stuart’s scalable solutions check all the boxes. Supporting retailers and e-commerce businesses during peak seasons is what we do best, by providing you with all the features you need to succeed. You’ll get access to:
- Our all-in-one last-mile delivery platform
- Real-time tracking for you and your customers
- Flexible delivery options from express in 30 minutes to scheduled
- Highly reliable and fast courier partners
- A variety of transport types
Final Thoughts: Deliver Smart and Win Loyalty
From school uniform next-day delivery to stationary shipments and more, finding the right last-mile delivery solution for your business will keep customers returning every back-to-school season.
Though providing on-demand delivery options to your shoppers can seem like a daunting task, it’s a business decision full of revenue potential for peak retail seasons and slower times alike. With care, preparation, knowledge, and the right last-mile delivery partner, your business will be thriving no matter the season.
45% of retailers & grocers choose ship from store delivery as their first choice
45% of retailers & grocers choose ship from store delivery as their first choice
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