Updated for 2023
I know what you’re going to say: Isn’t it still the middle of summer? Why is there back-to-school shopping information in my feed?
And believe me, I know it’s crazy how early we have to start thinking about shopping for back-to-school supplies. But check out all the back-to-school sales that are already happening — you don’t want to miss those bargains. Public schools start back up again in just a few weeks, so now’s the time to shop and stock up.
Whether you’re looking for school supplies, back-to-school clothes, uniforms, backpacks, lunch bags, stationery supplies, or even college dorm room essentials, here’s a list of go-to stores in Los Angeles where you can find everything on your school supply list — plus some online options, too.
Wondering when school will start for your kids?
Click here to see our LA School Calendar article.
Where to Shop for Back To School Supplies
Michaels
Multiple locations around SoCal, including:
14370 Ocean Gate Ave., Hawthorne, CA 90250-6732
Michaels has tons of back-to-school supplies, and you know they always have those amazing coupons, so you’ll get a bargain, too. The best part of shopping at Michaels is that you’ll get the chance to customize everything for your kid’s BTS experience. Even their organizing supplies are fun!
Don’t forget Amazon. Check out our Amazon Affiliate Shop for our fave BTS supplies!
Target
Multiple locations including:
10820 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230-4935
At Target, it’s one-stop shopping. Shoes, school clothes (including uniforms), school supplies, backpacks, lunch boxes, and the fixings for those lunch boxes can all be found under one roof. And don’t forget to use your Target credit card to earn 5% off your purchases (both online and in the store) and your Target credit card for free shipping.
Costco
Multiple locations including:
13463 Washington Blvd, Marina del Rey, CA 90292-5658
You may not think of Costco as a school supply store. However, they always have great backpacks and lunch boxes, not to mention great deals on school supplies, like copy paper, sharpies, scissors, and notebooks. And increasingly, Costco can be a source of new clothes as well.
Office Depot/Office Max
Multiple locations including:
7075 Firestone Ave., Downey, CA 90241
You can find a large assortment of school supplies at Office Depot/Office Max. Be sure to check their weekly specials to save money as well. This time of the year, they often offer fantastic deals on the essentials (glue sticks, rulers, crayons) for pennies. Sometimes they require a minimum purchase and sometimes there are limits on the quantities you can buy.
Staples
Multiple locations including:
3090 E. Slauson Ave., Huntington Park, CA 90255
Whether your child is entering kindergarten or college, you can find their school supplies at Staples. Their weekly ads offer special back-to-school savings; you can find many of the essentials being offered for under $1, although some products do have limited quantities.
Walmart
Multiple locations including:
1827 Walnut Grove Ave., Rosemead, CA 91770
Whether you’re helping your child furnish their first college apartment or sending your little one off to preschool, Walmart has what you’ll need for the upcoming school year. Many items can also be ordered online and either picked up at your local store or shipped directly to your home.
99 Cents Only Stores
Multiple locations including:
6921 La Tijera Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045
You can walk into the 99 Cents Only Store and know that you won’t be overpaying for the items you need. You’ll find plenty of school supplies here — like sharpeners, pencils, and paper — as well as snacks, containers, baggies, and more.
Dollar Tree
Multiple locations including:
2850 E. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90023
You’ll feel comfortable shopping at Dollar Tree, knowing that everything you purchase is being sold at a reasonable price. You can find school supplies, planners and calendars, organizational bins, hand sanitizers, tissues, snacks, tissues, and more.
See our list of 20 Essential Back-to-School Supplies
for a Super Successful Year!
Where to Shop for Back To School Clothes
Whether you want to get your kids a fancy new back-to-school outfit, a new school uniform, or just some nice new back-to-school clothes, you can shop the sales at these stores (plus Target and Costco — see above).
Old Navy/Gap
Multiple locations including:
Westfield Culver City Mall, 6000 Sepulveda Blvd. #2111, Culver City, CA 90230
Old Navy always has great sales on kid’s clothes and a great selection of basic uniform staples. Of course, you can shop online as well, but sometimes visiting the store is worth it — like when they have a special flash sale.
The Children’s Place
Multiple locations including:
Westfield Culver City Mall, 6000 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230
The Children’s Place always has so many sales going on, it’s crazy. And if you sign up to get their emails, you’ll get notified about exclusive sales just for subscribers. Plus, they always have something unique and adorable for kids to help you celebrate their first day of school.
Kohl’s
Multiple locations including:
8739 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester, CA 90045
Kohl’s is a terrific place to shop for back-to-school bargains. They’ve got everything from shoes to jackets. And they are now a hub for dropping off Amazon returns — bonus!
Where to Shop for College Dorm Supplies
Some of you may be sending kids off to a university this year, and they’ll need a whole extra set of things!
Target
Multiple locations including:
8480 Beverly Blvd., Ste. 1A, Los Angeles, CA 90048
It should probably go without saying that you can outfit a dorm room and beyond at Target, but take it from me personally; It’s true. I have the credit card receipts to prove it.
Bed Bath & Beyond
Multiple locations including:
1557 Vine St., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Bed Bath & Beyond has this amazing service: You buy the supplies your kid will need for their college dorm at any BBB store near you, and they will have everything shipped to the store that’s closest to the university your kid’s attending.
How cool is that? They even keep lists of items that are not allowed at each college, so you can avoid buying things your kid won’t even be permitted to have in their room. Plus, you know those famous coupons of theirs never expire, right? And you can use 6 of them at a time. Now you know.
The Container Store
Multiple locations including:
710 S. Sepulveda Blvd., El Segundo, CA 90245
This store has made it their business to be the best at organization, especially for small spaces, so what could be better for a small dorm room? They’ve got it all figured out — and, like BBB above, they keep lists of permitted and not-permitted items (like hot plates — don’t even think about taking one into a dorm room!) for each college.
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