As back to school prices rise, Asheville Outlets has day of deals for students, teachers

McKenna Leavens, Asheville Citizen Times
·3 min read
The Asheville Outlets is offering a "Back to School Day" on Aug. 12 from noon till 4 p.m.
The Asheville Outlets is offering a "Back to School Day" on Aug. 12 from noon till 4 p.m.

ASHEVILLE - What's more fun than back to school shopping? Getting discounts while doing it!

Asheville Outlets is offering a "Back to School Day" from noon-4 p.m. Aug. 12, when select stores in the mall will offer up to 70% off, according to a news release from Asheville Outlets.

There will be face painting, a selfie station, music, games and a magician who will be walking around the outlets.

Asheville Outlets has been doing the "Back to School Day" annually since 2015 and is expecting around 2,000 people to attend the event, according to Marketing Director Megan Thorp.

“Asheville Outlets is delighted to invite families to our Back-to-School Kids Day, a fun filled afternoon of complimentary entertainment and special promotions,” Asheville Outlets General Manager Miranda Bowman said in the release.

The Asheville Outlets has been doing the "Back to School Day" annually since 2015 and expects more than 1,800 people to attend the event, according to Marketing Director, Megan Thorp.
The Asheville Outlets has been doing the "Back to School Day" annually since 2015 and expects more than 1,800 people to attend the event, according to Marketing Director, Megan Thorp.

How much will you save?

Some of the discounts offered are:

  • Cole Haan is giving 20% off for teachers.

  • J. Crew Factory is offering 15% off.

  • Under Armour offers 10% off.

  • Vera Bradley Factory Outlet is offering 15% off.

Some other stores in the Outlet Mall that will be participating.

  • RH Outlet.

  • Crate and Barrel Outlet.

  • Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Home Furnishings.

  • West Elm Outlet.

  • Nike Factory Store.

  • Pandora Jewelry.

  • Vineyard Vines Outlet.

  • Coach Outlet.

  • Le Creuset.

  • Banana Republic Factory.

  • Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store.

Thorp told the Citizen Times that every store in the mall has to have some sort of sale going on.

"We always try to have a place for families to come. Not only to shop but also to have fun. We want to create fun experiences for families. It's kind of a one stop destination for us to have that family fun event but also get ready and have a place to get your back-to-school stuff," Thorp said.

Asheville Outlets plans the event two weeks before school starts for Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools, which is on Aug. 28.

More: New Asheville City Schools superintendent talks achievement gap, putting students first

Back to school costs

According to NRF families with students in elementary through high school are planning to spend on average, around $890.07 on back-to-school items this year, which is $25 more than last year.
According to NRF families with students in elementary through high school are planning to spend on average, around $890.07 on back-to-school items this year, which is $25 more than last year.

According to a news release from the National Retail Federation, which has been collecting data on back-to-school shopping since 2003, "Back-to-school spending is expected to reach an unparalleled $41.5 billion, up from $36.9 billion last year and the previous high of $37.1 billion in 2021. Back-to-college spending is expected to hit $94 billion, about $20 billion more than last year’s record."

According to NRF, families with students in elementary through high school are planning to spend on average, around $890.07 on back-to-school items this year, which is $25 more than last year.

The release said that 43% of those who are spending more than last year say it's because they need newer items, and 32% say it's because they need more expensive items like a computer, phone, calculator and for college students, dorm furniture.

The most popular places to get back to school items are online, department stores and discount stores, the release said.

“Even though consumers plan to spend more on school and college-related items this year, they are still looking to find the best value and deals,” Prosper Executive Vice President of Strategy Phil Rist said in the release. “Consumers are stretching their dollars by comparing prices, considering off-brand or store-brand items, and are more likely to shop at discount stores than last year.”

More: Who are the new Buncombe County Schools administrators for 2023-24?

More: What to know before Asheville-area school starts: Supply costs, after-school programs

The outlet mall is at the intersection of Interstates 40 and 26 at Brevard Road. Asheville Outlets has over 70 retailers and restaurants. For more information, visit ShopAshevilleOutlets.com.

McKenna Leavens is the education reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at mleavens@citizentimes.com or follow her on Twitter @LeavensMcKennna. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Back to school deals for students, teachers at Asheville Outlets