Many schools are starting up again for the 2007-2008 school year, and no one stands to profit more than retail giants like Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Target.
The end-of-summer shopping season has long been a harbinger of great sales on school supplies and other education necessities. But now, it seems stores are crafting entire campaigns that stray from the normal back-to-school fare and peddle more luxury items that have little to no actual value to a student.
One product on the extreme end of the unnecessary scale is the bulletproof backpack, on sale for the low price of $175 ““ a great investment for worry wort parents or those who attend school in Baghdad.
It would not be unfair to say this product is on sale in American schools to bank on fear. While the product is designed to cash in on the all-too-common fear of death, many of these back to school campaigns are counting on simpler, quieter fears: What if I’m not prepared? Or cool enough?
All the fancy dorm room amenities ““ bean bags, decorative rugs, fancy desk organizers and nifty closet compartmentalizers ““ are luxurious at best and impractical at worst. Anyone headed off to college or looking to pack all their personality into their locker would do well to steer clear of the flashy sales.
So what if you’re not ready for every possible scenario? At least you will have less junk to move out later, and what’s missing in your room or locker equals money in your pocket for what really matters: junk food and movie tickets.
Unsigned editorials represent a majority opinion of the Daily Bruin Editorial Board.