Stores push limits of back-to-school season

Slowing sales, reluctant spenders encourage aggressive tactics Elizabeth Ackerman, 5, who starts first grade in two weeks, and her mother, Lisa, shop for school supplies at Super Target in Wake Forest. Back-to-school merchandise has been out for two weeks, a store manager said. Staff Photo by Jason Arthurs Mark your calendar for the weekend of Aug. 1-3 if you want to take advantage of this year's sales tax holiday, when the state suspends sales tax on some school supplies and clothing. For details and a list of tax-exempt items, go to www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/sales/ salestax_holiday.html. Stores push limits of back-to-school season Sue Stock, Staff WriterComment on this story The three-day Fourth of July weekend gave struggling retailers a bit of a revenue bump, but many have moved on to the year's next big shopping event:... [read full story]