BENTONVILLE, Ark.— With the first day of school approaching, Walmart has been gearing up to ensure this year’s shopping experience for the return to classrooms is what it should be — “affordable, easy and fun.”

That’s the message of Julie Barber, executive vice president of general merchandise at Walmart U.S., in a blog on the company’s website. 

With four-fifths of customers expecting to spend more on supplies this year, according to the National Retail Federation, Walmart is excited to offer school supplies at the same prices as last year, Barber blogs. The price freeze covers common classroom essentials, like Pen + Gear Composition Notebooks (50 cents), 24-count Crayola Crayons (50 cents), and Sterlite Plastic Pencil Boxes (97 cents). It means shoppers can get this year’s 14 most popular items on school supply lists for just $12.94.

When it comes to apparel, with Free Assembly by Brandon Maxwell, Justice, Wonder Nation, Claires, Reebok, No Boundaries and many other top private and national brands, “kids will look and feel their best on the first day of school,” Barber comments. Walmart has also held prices on backpacks for all ages, starting at just $6.

The discounter’s novel Classroom Registry and other back-to-school digital tools make it easier and more personalized than ever for teachers and families to save money and for local communities to give back to their schools, she adds.

Teachers are expected to spend more than $800 of their own money on classroom supplies this year, notes Barber. “That’s why we’re excited to introduce our new Classroom Registry experience on Walmart.com and the Walmart app to assist educators in reducing their expenses for classroom supplies. This innovative tool features an all-new look and feel that makes it simple and easy for educators to plan, shop and share their classroom wish lists.” Registries can easily be found by searching Walmart’s registry page by the teacher’s last name and state.

Walmart is also again offering school supply lists curated by school districts and/or individual teachers to ensure students have all the items needed for their classrooms. Shoppers can simply type in their ZIP code, select school, grade and teacher, and add it all to their cart with a single tap.

As well, public and private schools can create a nonprofit account to begin receiving tax-deductible donations via Spark Good Registry and Round Up, giving customers the chance to donate to their local schools year-round on Walmart.com and the Walmart app. Whereas Classroom Registry is aimed at letting shoppers fill their teachers’ wish lists, Spark Good is aimed at allowing customers to support the needs of the entire school by rounding up to donate change at checkout or purchasing items on a school’s Spark Good Registry.

Families, teachers and students can shop in stores, on Walmart.com or on the Walmart app and take advantage of same-day curbside pickup or Express Delivery in as soon as an hour, emphasizes Barber. And Walmart+ members get same-day delivery and free two-day shipping as a membership perk.

Barber also points out that with over 4,600 pharmacies and more than 2,800 vision centers across the country, Walmart’s ever-expanding health and wellness products and services are ideal for BTS preparation. “We are making it easy for the entire family to affordably refill prescriptions, address physical and vision health needs and get back-to-school vaccines,” she says.

Regarding inclusivity, Barber says the retailer is striving every day for a culture where everyone feels they belong. “This year, Walmart is taking steps toward creating a quieter shopping environment that’s more enjoyable for customers who live with sensory disabilities.” Sensory-friendly hours will be on Saturdays through the end of August from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in most stores. 

As college students prepare to return to campus, “Walmart is here to make sure they have everything they need — and want — for their dorms, classrooms and closets,” she adds.

Students can fulfill their first day needs at everyday-low prices, including for apparel, personal care, supplies and beyond, Barber says. “With stores within 10 miles of hundreds of college campuses, Walmart is the trusted one-stop-shop for everything college students need.” And “endless aisles” on Walmart.com offer items including Walmart Restored’s assortment of refurbished products from laptops, TVs and tablets to smartphones and appliances.