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Think the holiday shopping season starts earlier every year? In the weeks before many families will even begin thinking about heading back to the classroom, stores are already in back-to-school mode.

From now until the end of August is the best time of the year to buy discounted school and office supplies — in some cases for as little as one penny — and to get great deals on bigger-ticket items such as laptops and electronics.

Although starting back-to-school sales in early July is tied partly to the fact that some Utah schools have year-round schedules, it's also part of a strategy among retailers to attract recession-weary shoppers.

"Retailers understand consumers are extremely focused on value and are taking this opportunity to offer substantial savings on merchandise," said Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation, in a new report.

That means they aren't automatically buying new clothes and backpacks. The federation expects families with children in grades kindergarten through 12 to spend an average of $603.63 on apparel, school supplies and electronics — down slightly from last year's average of $606.40.

"Families aren't opposed to spending on what they need, but parents want their children to take a good look at what they already have before deciding what to buy for back to school," Shay said.

And when they do go shopping, parents are looking for deals.

Here are some things retailers are doing to lure bargain-hungry shoppers:

Super-low prices • Each week through August, most stores are offering heavily discounted items, some below cost.

At Walgreens this week, packages of pencils were 19 cents, highlighters 9 cents, while 1-inch binders, sheet protectors and dividers were only 49 cents each. Stock up on extras of any items your family uses throughout the year. Most stores will have a few basic items each week as low as 1 cent or 5 cents each.

Coupons • Target has released a number of back-to-school coupons on the Target.com website. Click on "coupons" at the bottom of the page to find them. Some offers appear and disappear quickly, so print any now that you plan to use. Watch for high-value coupons that can be used on sale items to get free or nearly free goodies such as pens and permanent markers.

Great rebate offers • Shoppers willing to send in for rebates can get great deals. This week, Staples had 500-sheet packages of copy paper priced at $5.99, but for each package purchased (up to two), shoppers could get a $4.99 rebate. Staples also has 60-count 4-by-6 photo-paper packages for $9.99, with a rebate for $9.49.

Staples is also offering a savings pass for $10 that entitles customers to 15 percent off back-to-school supplies through Sept. 17. For more information about the card and weekly specials, go to Staples.com and click on "back to school."

Other deals • Amazon.com is offering college students a free one-year subscription to its Amazon Prime service — a $79 value — which provides free, unlimited, two-day shipping on textbooks and millions of other items. The retailer is also courting back-to-school shoppers with discounted textbooks — some as much as 80 to 90 percent off. Go to http://www.amazon.com/student.

Lesley Mitchell writes One Cheap Chick in daily blog form at blogs.sltrib.com/cheap.

lesley@sltrib.com A sampling of back-to-school deals

Walgreens • Weekly specials on school and office supplies will be offered in coming weeks. See Walgreens.com.

Target • Go to Target.com and click on "coupons" at the bottom of the home page. The retailer has been releasing a number of coupons in its weekly ads. Some can be used to get free or nearly free items such as pens and permanent markers. Target has extra ads and coupons in stores.

Staples • The office-supply chain has weekly specials and a $10 savings pass that entitles customers to 15 percent off supplies through Sept. 17. Go to Staples.com and click on "back to school."

Amazon.com • Go to http://www.amazon.com/student for a free two-day shipping program and up to 90 percent off textbooks for college students.