Second only to the winter holiday rush, back-to-school shopping is a time when many stores are flooded with customers, each bearing extensive supply lists and ready to make a load of impulse buys to bring extra excitement to the first day of school.

And it’s not just K through 12 preparing for a new year. College students are also stocking up on everyday supplies, new tech, and the items they’ll need to put a personal stamp on their new dorm room spaces.

With this increased demand, you don’t want to miss out on sales due to a lack of baskets.

Retail shopping preparation means ensuring every customer can easily pick up just the right shopping basket for everything on their list and more.

How Many Shopping Baskets Does Your Store Need for Back-To-School Season?

The right number of baskets for your store depends on its expected foot traffic and how quickly baskets make their way from the checkout area back to the entrance.

Start by looking at last year’s busiest back-to-school days and calculate from there. Were customers often searching for baskets? If your customers couldn’t reliably find a basket last year, or your current supply has been reduced by cracked, damaged, or missing units, it’s best to increase inventory before the imminent rush hits.

The Cost of Too Few Baskets

A customer who walks in for pencils and notebooks might also spot markers, cool storage containers, must-have backpacks, electronics, all the things, but there’s only so much someone can carry in two hands.

A proper amount of handheld shopping baskets strategically situated in your store makes it easier for customers to keep browsing and adding products without feeling overloaded. Whether yours is an office supply store, pharmacy, grocery store, campus bookstore, clothing boutique, or convenience store, everyone experiences this and other seasonal bumps. The products can differ, but the principle stays the same: when customers can carry more comfortably, they have more freedom to shop.

What Size Shopping Basket Is Best for Your Store?

Just like no two retail outlets are the same, there’s no single one-size-fits-all basket.

At Good L, we offer a range of baskets, from mini to tall to large, and rolling shopping baskets, too. Our standard size is 9” tall and 13.8 x 8.8” at the bottom – perfectly suited to quick trips. Our large baskets offer roughly 8 gallons of capacity and can support loads of up to 100 pounds. For retailers selling heavier or bulkier back-to-school products, our extra-high-capacity big baskets can support up to 200 pounds.

That variety lets you choose a single size of basket for your inventory, or a mix for different zones in your store. All baskets feature open-mesh construction, comfortable easy-grip handles, and nestable designs that help you conserve floor space. They also include a stacking elevation benefit that keeps your logo visible even when the baskets are nested.

Choose American-Made Shopping Baskets to Handle the Rush

Back-to-school season has a way of sneaking up on everyone. Waiting until in-store traffic increases can leave your team scrambling for equipment instead of pointing out additional items that help increase transaction values.

We manufacture our commercial-strength baskets using 100% recycled plastic copolymer materials, and our clients can choose from a range of colors and select custom logo embossing to turn everyday store equipment into another visible part of their brand. We work closely with retailers nationwide to understand their needs, recommend suitable options, and help them prepare for the season ahead.

Take stock of your baskets now and build in enough capacity for your busiest days. When the school-supply lists come out, and customers come pouring in, you’ll be ready to help them make the most of their trip.

Buy local. Buy American. Contact our team to request your free quote today.