A school store is a great way to increase student engagement and school spirit while making a profit for your school or sports teams.
A big decision school store managers face is what to order. There are countless options for spirit wear, school supplies, and novelty items to choose from for your store shelves.
Here is a list of the top 5 school store must-haves to maximize profits:
1. Custom School Apparel
This is a broad category, but custom school apparel is a proven best seller in most school stores. Order a variety of sweatshirts, T-shirts, shorts, sweatpants, hats, and jackets for your school store, and get them custom imprinted with your school name and mascot. In terms of maximizing profits, sweatshirts are your best choice; you can make a huge profit with these school apparel faves.
2. Custom Water Bottles and Drinkware
Customized water bottles in particular are great items to have in your school store. You can also sell simple cups, tumblers, coffee mugs, and other drinkware. When trying to maximize your profits, water bottles give you the best profit.
3. Custom Bags and Backpacks
Backpacks and bags are must-haves for any school store, especially when they feature your school name and logo. Drawcord bags are particularly popular with students. Athletes especially love duffel bags, so be sure to have some duffel bags in stock. Bags will be hot sellers, and help you maximize your school store profits.
4. Poms in Your School Colors
Students love something they can wave at the big game, and poms and spirit rousers are no exceptions. They are low-priced items that everyone wants to have so they usually sell out fast at sporting events. Stock them in your school colors to pump up school spirit.
5. EyeBlacks
EyeBlacks, or under-eye stickers, are extremely popular with both athletes and fans. They are also low-priced items and fast sellers, especially on game days (stock them in concession stands at games, too). So, even though the profit per item is low, you can sell a ton quickly at a game and make a big profit.
It is a good idea to have some staples in your school storefrom year-to-year, but don’t be afraid to add new, novelty items. Fans love other school spirit items like wigs and megaphones, which can also bring you a nice profit. Essential items like sunglasses, lanyards, and key chains are also top sellers that bring in a steady profit.
Undecided on which items to buy? Use our sample program to get samples and ask your students what they like best before you order them.