Back-to-school season: It’s the most wonderful time of the year, if “wonderful” means frantically trying to find a pair of jeans in the right size before the first day of school. Between the supply lists, the shoe debates and the very specific opinions your child suddenly has about graphic tees, it’s a lot.

But it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. 

Every store on this list is a Rakuten partner, which means you can earn Cash Back on your purchases while still taking full advantage of their sales, promo codes and clearance deals. Smart shopping, meet satisfying payoff.

Here are the 10 best stores for back-to-school clothing discounts in 2026.

1. Kohl’s

Best for: All ages (kids through college)

When it comes to back-to-school season, Kohl’s goes all in. We’re talking major sitewide promotions, extra-percentage-off coupons and a brand lineup that covers everyone from kindergarteners to college freshmen (Nike, Under Armour, Levi’s, and their own house lines included).

Kohl’s back-to-school sales typically kick off in mid-July and run through September, with new deals dropping weekly. What makes Kohl’s especially worth your time is the layering potential: store coupons on top of sale prices, plus Rakuten Cash Back on top of all of it. The savings stack beautifully.

Why shop here: One of the biggest back-to-school sale events of the year, a massive brand selection and something for every age group in one place.

2. Old Navy

Best for: Elementary school through high school

Old Navy is basically the patron saint of affordable back-to-school shopping. Their basics are genuinely stylish, not just “fine, I guess,” and their prices make it easy to stock up without doing the math on every single item. Whether you’re looking for jeans, joggers, graphic tees or uniform-friendly polos, Old Navy has it all. Plus, they run 40% to 50% off sitewide sales with impressive regularity throughout the summer.

Their kids’ and teen sections have improved a lot in recent years, and the Gap Inc. loyalty program adds another layer of savings on top.

Why shop here: Consistently low prices, frequent sitewide promotions, and solid basics that actually hold up after repeated washing.

3. Macy’s

Best for: Middle school through college (plus younger kids via the kids’ department)

Macy’s is the Swiss Army knife of back-to-school shopping. One website, hundreds of brands (you’ll find Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Levi’s, Guess and more), which means your teen can find something they’re actually excited about instead of settling for whatever you picked out. (No offense.)

Macy’s runs a dedicated back-to-school sale each summer with notable markdowns across clothing departments, plus Friends and Family sales that stack additional discounts on top of already-reduced prices. If you have kids of multiple ages and wildly different tastes, Macy’s is the rare store where everyone walks away happy.

Why shop here: Unmatched brand variety, strong back-to-school sale events, and genuine one-stop shopping for the whole family.

4. Carter’s

Best for: Preschool through middle school

For younger kids, Carter’s is a nonnegotiable stop on the back-to-school circuit. The value is excellent, the clothing is durable (which matters a lot when your second-grader treats every pair of pants like an obstacle course) and the back-to-school season brings bundles, multi-item discounts and well-timed clearance sales.

Carter’s OshKosh B’gosh line handles the slightly older set with equal charm, and uniform-friendly basics such as leggings, soft-finish denim and polo shirts are well represented and well priced. When kids are growing out of everything faster than you can replace it, Carter’s keeps the cost manageable.

Why shop here: Great value on durable kids’ clothing, frequent promotions and the ideal destination for families shopping for younger children.

5. Target

Best for: All ages

Target’s back-to-school clothing section is genuinely impressive. Cat & Jack for younger kids is one of the most underrated house brands in the game; Art Class covers tweens with actually cool pieces; and Universal Thread, Wild Fable and All in Motion take care of the high school and college crowd. That’s a lot of ground covered without ever leaving one website.

Weekly Circle deals and seasonal promotions make Target a reliable source of discounts throughout the summer, and the same-day pickup option means you can finalize a last-minute haul the night before school starts without breaking a sweat.

Why shop here: True one-stop shopping, competitive prices, excellent house brands across all age groups and maximum convenience.

6. Gap

Best for: Kids (Gap Kids) through college (Gap)

Gap knows how to do a great basic. Clean, well constructed and properly fitting, they’re the kind that last more than one school year and look intentional without trying too hard. Gap typically runs some of its best promotions of the year during back-to-school season, often offering 40% to 50% off sitewide and bringing already reasonable prices into even more reasonable territory.

Gap Kids covers the younger set with the same quality, and their adult line is a go-to for high school and college shoppers who want elevated simplicity over fast-fashion flash.

Why shop here: Quality basics that last, strong back-to-school promotions and consistent sizing that makes online shopping actually reliable.

7. Levi’s

Best for: Middle school through college

Let’s take a moment to talk about jeans, because they are not optional. Jeans are the backbone of the school wardrobe, the one item that works with absolutely everything, survives being crammed in a locker and somehow looks put together whether you’re in class or hanging out after school. And for jeans, the conversation starts and ends with Levi’s.

The 501, the 511, the 505. These aren’t just popular styles, they’re the kind of pieces your kid will still be reaching for three years from now. That’s the whole point. Levi’s runs back-to-school sales with real markdowns on core styles, and their outlet section is consistently worth a look. When you activate Rakuten Cash Back before you shop, the already strong value gets even better.

Why shop here: Jeans are a back-to-school essential, and nobody does them better. Levi’s delivers the durability and style that actually justifies the spend.

8. Abercrombie & Fitch and Abercrombie Kids

Best for: Kids ages 5 to 14 (Abercrombie Kids); teens and young adults (Abercrombie & Fitch)

Abercrombie has had quite the glow-up. It’s now one of the best places to shop for trend-forward teen and tween clothing that feels current without being so of-the-moment that it’s embarrassing six months later. Abercrombie Kids handles the younger crowd with equal care.

The brand runs frequent promotions (typically 20% to 40% off) and their sale section rewards patient browsers. Rakuten Cash Back applies across both Abercrombie & Fitch and Abercrombie Kids, making the already appealing destination even easier to say yes to.

Why shop here: On-trend styles for tweens and teens, solid quality, and regular promotions that bring prices within easy reach.

9. eBay

Best for: Teens and college students with a thing for vintage

Hear us out: eBay is one of the smartest back-to-school clothing plays you can make, especially if your teen has opinions about their wardrobe (and what teen doesn’t?). Whether it’s authentic vintage Levi’s, deadstock band tees, retro windbreakers, or brand-name pieces at a fraction of retail, eBay’s resale market is thriving and the selection is genuinely massive.

For students who want a wardrobe that doesn’t look like everyone else’s, eBay delivers. And since eBay is a Rakuten partner, you can earn Cash Back on eligible purchases, which feels like a bonus plot twist in the best way.

Why shop here: Unique vintage and secondhand finds at often significant discounts, perfect for teens and college students who want to stand out.

10. Stitch Fix

Best for: Tweens through adults

Sometimes you just want someone else to handle it. Stitch Fix, the personal styling subscription service, sends you a curated box of clothing based on your style preferences, size and budget. There’s no browsing required, no decision fatigue and no three-hour online shopping sessions that end with nothing in your cart.

For parents of teens with Very Strong Opinions, Stitch Fix is a surprisingly low-drama option: Kids fill out a style quiz, a personal stylist picks pieces and what arrives is already prefiltered to their taste. For college students building out a wardrobe from scratch, it’s a genuinely useful shortcut. Rakuten Cash Back applies here, too, which is a nice parting gift for all the effort you just saved.

Why shop here: Personalized styling service, zero browsing required, great for shoppers who know what they like but don’t want to spend hours finding it.

Stack Your Savings: Rakuten Cash Back + Store Deals

Here’s where things get genuinely fun. Every store on this list is a Rakuten partner, which means earning Cash Back is as simple as starting your shopping trip at Rakuten.com, opening the Rakuten app or activating the Rakuten browser extension before you check out.

The real power move is stacking. Every one of these stores runs their own sales, promo codes and loyalty rewards, and Rakuten Cash Back works on top of all of it. Found a Kohl’s coupon? Activate Rakuten first, and then apply it. Carter’s running a bundle deal? Stack your Cash Back on the full order total. Old Navy sitewide sale? You know what to do.

Cash Back accumulates in your Rakuten account and gets paid out quarterly as a check or PayPal payment. It’s not a coupon. It’s not a rebate maze. It’s real money, paid back to you, for shopping you were already going to do. Start at Rakuten, click through to your store and shop your sale. The joy, as they say, is real.

FAQs

Can I earn Rakuten Cash Back at all 10 stores on this list?

Yes. Every store listed here is a Rakuten partner, so Cash Back is available on eligible purchases. Just activate through Rakuten before you shop.

When is the best time to shop for back-to-school clothing? 

Late July through mid-August is the peak back-to-school sale season. Most retailers run their biggest promotions during this window, so shopping early gives you the best combination of deals and size availability.

Can I use Rakuten Cash Back in-store as well as online? 

Yes! Rakuten offers in-store Cash Back at select participating retailers through the Rakuten app. Check the app to see which stores near you currently have in-store Cash Back activated.

Is eBay really worth it for back-to-school shopping? 

For teens and college students who love unique or vintage pieces, absolutely. eBay’s secondhand and vintage selection is massive, and name-brand items in great condition are often available at a significant discount compared to retail.

How does Stitch Fix work for younger shoppers? 

Stitch Fix offers styling services for kids and adults. Tweens and teens fill out a style profile, and a personal stylist curates a box based on their preferences. It’s a particularly good option for shoppers who have a clear sense of style but not a lot of patience for browsing.

How does Rakuten Cash Back work? 

Sign in to your Rakuten account, search for the store you want to shop at, click through to activate Cash Back and shop as you normally would. Your Cash Back accumulates and is paid out as a check or PayPal deposit every quarter.