Abercrombie & Fitch

Staples, Dollar General Match 2025 Back-to-School Prices

Staples and Dollar General launched their 2026 back-to-school promotions, holding prices roughly in line with 2025. Staples said it will offer 50 items under $1, 95 items under $2 and more than 750 items under $10, plus in-store and online freebies with qualifying purchases through Sept. 12 and a one-time 20% off in-store coupon for teachers. Dollar General said it is pricing more than 70 products at $1 or less, is offering teachers 30% off stationery through Sept. 7, and is running an Instagram sweepstakes awarding 20 educators $250 each. Staples highlighted electronics such as laptops starting at $249.99 and monitors from $79.99. JLL data cited in the article shows U.S. back-to-school budgets rose ~11.7% to $489 per child in 2026, a shift Toward middle-income households, and BTIG analyst Janine Stichter commented on implications for BTS-levered retailers.

Target and Parachute Launch Capsule Home Collection

Target and DTC home-goods brand Parachute launched a capsule bedding and bath collection that debuted online and in select Target stores on June 29, 2026. Priced from $12 to $169, the assortment includes sheets, blankets, towels, robes and other bedding and bath items in browns, blues, stripes and textured finishes. The collaboration is the second between the two companies after an April 2025 launch that sold out; Parachute subsequently said it would close 19 storefronts and prioritize retail partnerships with chains such as Nordstrom and Target. The article places the tie-up in the context of Target’s broader merchandise-refresh strategy, which includes private-label investments, other brand collaborations and a planned $1 billion operations investment to drive sales growth.

Target kicks off back-to-school; tests turnaround

Target launched its 2026 back-to-school campaign on June 24, unveiling limited-edition collaborations, a refreshed assortment and a major discount on its paid loyalty plan as an early test of a broader turnaround. Offers include 50% off an annual Target Circle 360 membership, a LoveShackFancy collab (debuts July 5) and other tie-ups with brands such as Overtime, Poppi, Owala and Hollister. More than half of the assortment is new, and Target added school uniforms to its All in Motion private label. The retailer moved summer sale timing earlier, positioned to compete with Amazon Prime Day, and executives and analysts are watching whether recent sales and traffic gains translate into sustained recovery.