5 Features to Look For in a Teacher Supplies Store

Look for big selections & low prices

Whether you teach students yourself or buy necessities for someone who does, you know it takes a lot of gear to run an efficient classroom. Teachers need pens, pencils, loose leaf paper, notebooks, whiteboard markers and teaching aids—to say nothing of computers, televisions and other tech accessories.

In your search for a school supplies store that suits your needs, keep the following five recommendations in mind. Both you and your students stand to reap the benefits.

5 qualities to look for in a teacher supplies store

Finding the right teacher supplies store takes research, but keeping your classroom well-stocked is always worth it. Here are five things your supplier should offer.

1. Wide selection

To save time and hassle, you want a store with everything that educators, clerical staff and students need. That means you’ll need a place that sells writing implements, notebooks, stationery, folders, staplers, scissors, three-hole punches and a variety of other office tools. Depending on the subject you teach, you may also need more specialized gear, such as music stands, art supplies or sports equipment.

Modern classrooms run on technology just as much as they do on analog tools. If you can find a store that also sells computers, cables and networking supplies, you’ll be that much better off when (not if) you have to replace an important device on short notice.

Read The Must-Have Teacher School Supplies for Every Grade to learn which products a prospective store should stock.

2. Online shopping

Rather than running out to a brick and mortar store, educators and administrators can order everything they need from online teacher supplies stores and get it delivered directly to their school. This saves time and hassle, but it can also save money. That’s because online shopping makes it easy to compare prices among many different products. 

Most online stores offer product reviews, which teachers can read to see whether a given product will suit their needs—and stand up to use in their classroom.

3. Brick & mortar locations

While online shopping can be convenient, there’s also something to be said for brick-and-mortar teacher supplies stores. Sometimes, you’ll want to see items in person and compare them before you make a purchase. Other times, you’ll need a very particular item—a laptop power cord, for example—and you absolutely, positively must have it within the hour.

If your preferred provider has a location in town, you’ll be able to grab last-minute supplies, even if a lunch break is all the time you have to spare. Online stores that offer same-day delivery from brick-and-mortar locations can offer the best of both worlds.

Once you’ve found the goods you need, read about How to Create Engaging Classroom Activities.

4. Affordable prices

As anyone who’s ever gone on a back-to-school shopping trip can attest, getting the goods you need can be expensive. Keep an eye out for a classroom supplies store that offers low prices, but always shop around and compare prices before you order. 

While you’re shopping for your favorite brands, remember many retailers sell house brands, like Walmart’s Pen & Gear, that balance quality and low prices.

5. Dedicated app

Many online stores offer mobile-optimized websites, but dedicated apps can be even better. These programs tend to have cleaner interfaces with bigger icons, more intuitive menus and fewer distracting popup ads. Smartphone apps can also retain your login information, display your purchase history and save your preferred payment options.

If your provider has physical locations, you may even be able to use the app to check stock levels ahead of time before making purchases in the store, and tell you where to find it in your local store. Buying goods with an app can potentially save you a few minutes on each purchase—and that can add up to a lot of time in the long haul.

Read 5 Things to Consider Before Investing In Classroom Supplies to learn what you’ll need to research after you’ve chosen a provider.

Find your teacher supplies with Walmart Business

The right teacher supplies store for your school district should offer a wide selection of products, a robust online store and reasonable prices on classroom goods. We offer all of those features and more. Sign up for a free Walmart Business account and you’ll be able to buy goods in bulk and view your full order history for both in-store and online purchases. You can also share an account among multiple users and save your preferred payment options.

Already have an account? Sign up for a Walmart Business+ membership. You’ll get free shipping on orders from Business.Walmart.com¹ and free delivery from local Walmart stores on orders of $35 or more.² You’ll also earn 2% back in Walmart Rewards on orders of $250 or more.³ These benefits could save you and your school district more than $500 per year.⁴

¹ Excludes most Marketplace items, freight and certain location surcharges.

² Restrictions apply.

³ Rewards can only be used toward future purchases on Walmart Business. Additional terms apply.

⁴ Savings based on 1 free $35+ delivery order vs. $9.95 fee and 1 free shipping order under $35 vs. $6.99 fee biweekly, plus 2% Walmart Business Rewards on monthly order >$250 (average value of $400).