7:20 p.m. - Big Bargains for Back to School Shoppers

Some retailers took a hit this July. Stores like Wal-mart, Target and JC Penny’s posted lower than expected sales heading into back to school, which is usually the second biggest shopping season after Christmas. That may be the reason why some stores in Central Arkansas are offering big bargains.

"We understand it can be a lot of work trying to get everything together,” said Dillard’s manager Beth Gillespie, “so we're having a huge sale right now."

Gillespie says hot items are graphic tees for boys and dresses and leggings for girls, but some parents want the right look, at the right price.

"We always look for any kind of bargain we can get,” said shopper and dad Pat Travis. “We just shop the basics. Dillard's, JC Penny's, Sear's, Old Navy, any place we can get some nice bargains."

Parents aren’t the only ones looking for deals. The economy appears to have hurt kids too.

"I had to cut back on some things I get, less clothing, less school supplies,” said high school senior Payton Sawyer.

The National Retail Federation says three quarters of back to school shoppers will head to discount stores.

Some will shop the Savers in North Little Rock.

"Most of our girl's tops are from $1.99 to $5.99,” said Savers manager Marianne Hardin. “One example, a really great tee, you can put with a fashionable denim skirt. You can put leggings with it when it gets colder. Add a backpack for 3 dollars and you've got an outfit for 12 dollars."

But no matter if you hit the mall or the thrift shop, sometimes it can’t be avoided. Parents are expected to spend, on average, $594 on back to school item, slightly more than last year.

Some stores may be hoping to lure customers struggling with tight budgets by offering big bargain. At McCain mall, several stores advertised discounts today, some as high as 70 percent off. All this could give retailers an idea how consumers will spend in the holiday season.