Back-to-school spending will reach $85.42 billion in 2026, as families prioritize education despite a growing focus on value. Shoppers are increasingly turning to digital channels and promotional events to lock in lower prices before the start of the school year.

Young people overwhelmingly confide in chatbots even as questions around safety and mental health risks mount.

The news: Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) launched an in-house buy now, pay later (BNPL) feature to serve its members’ financial needs, per a press release. Our take: Credit unions can compete with big banks and fintechs alike by leaning into what younger consumers want. Catering to these student members helps credit unions stave off their age dilemma: In 2023, 69% of credit union customers were Gen X or older, per a McKinsey & Company study. Conversely, banks are performing better with younger consumers: 41% of their banking population is millennial and Gen Z and 58% are Gen X or older. As graying members spend down savings and shrink credit unions’ deposits and interest income, players like MSUFCU can strengthen their banking relationships with young members through aligned alternative finance methods like BNPL.

Gen Z is redefining family, community, and what’s expected from the shopping journey. Brands will need to meet these driven, digital natives where they are with dynamic media experiences to capture and retain loyalty.

From improving in-store inclusivity to taking advantage of Bed Bath & Beyond’s closure, here are three examples of how back-to-school’s biggest players are delivering value through discounts and enhanced shopping experiences.

Move over, millennials: The new kids in town, Gen Z, have claimed the crown as most sought-after demographic for brands. With their deep digital nativity and social influence, this generation is making its mark on society and brand strategy.

About a third of K-12 students have already returned to class amid a fourth COVID-19 wave. While, earlier this year, analysts had predicted a very optimistic back-to-school (BTS) season for retailers and brands, not all is lost: Many parents still want to make school-related firsts and rites of passage as “normal” as possible for their children.