School Store Ideas That Boost Engagement and Fundraising

What Should a School Store Have?

A school store sells items to parents, students and staff members. These stores help schools and school organizations raise money for events and operations. Inventory typically includes clothing, school supplies, backpacks, accessories and other miscellaneous items.

School stores are a great way to raise funds and give students, parents and staff access to convenient, useful products. A well-stocked store typically includes:

• Pens and pencils
• Notebooks and paper
• Other stationery and organizational items
• Calculators
• Stickers
• School T-shirts, sweaters and other apparel
• Promotional water bottles
• School-branded pencil bags
• Snacks and drinks

These direct-sales items can yield profit margins between 40% and 70% — with the highest ROIs coming from items with low wholesale prices and high markups.

It's also worth thinking about which items will appeal to different grade levels. Elementary school stores do well with small toys and activity books; high school stores tend to see stronger sales with tech accessories and branded apparel. Some trial and error is normal — over time you'll learn what sells best for your community.

Idea #1 — Offer Customization Services

Customization is a natural fit for school stores. Students are more likely to buy — and keep — items that feel personal. You can offer:

• Custom school gear, branded apparel and accessories featuring the school logo and colors
• Items personalized with a student's name or initials
• Products students can customize with their own artwork

These are items customers can't find anywhere else, which gives your store a real edge.

Idea #2 — Use Social Media and Promotions

Digital marketing can help your school store reach a wider audience — current students, families, alumni and even community members. A few ways to use it effectively:

• Share content on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to build relationships and keep your store top of mind
• Run promotions like discounts and giveaways to drive purchases
• Use student influencers and hashtags to spread the word on campus
• Consider paid ads on Google or Facebook to reach grandparents and community members outside the school

Idea #3 — Develop Loyalty Programs for Students and Staff

Loyalty programs give customers a reason to come back. According to Zinrelo, loyalty program members generate 12%–18% more revenue than nonmembers. A few ways to structure them:

• Student programs offering discounts on select items or gifts with purchase
• Family deals when parents and students shop together
• Staff appreciation perks like gift cards or in-store discounts

Idea #4 — Try Community Outreach

Partnering with local businesses, civic groups and nonprofits is a great way to raise money while building stronger community ties. School stores can engage in nonprofit fundraising, special promotions and other community-facing activities that benefit everyone involved — and create relationships that last beyond a single event.

Idea #5 — Sell Trendy Items Students Actually Want

Stocking items students genuinely want is one of the most effective ways to drive consistent sales. Many schools have their own micro-trends — it's worth asking students directly what they'd buy. Some popular options:

• Insulated water bottles and Hydroflasks
• Tote bags — eco-friendly and practical for lunches and supplies
• School-themed jewelry like beaded bracelets
• Earbuds for listening between classes
• Fidgets for stress relief
• Tech accessories like chargers and phone case protectors
• Healthy snacks

Trendy items can also double as promotional materials, helping spread awareness about school activities and events.

Idea #6 — Increase Student Engagement in STEM

School stores can support STEM interest by stocking math games, robotics kits and coding activities. These items give students a fun, hands-on way to explore subjects outside the classroom. You can also tie them into rewards — offering discounts for completing STEM-related tasks or challenges.

Idea #7 — Get Creative with Fundraising Themes

Themed fundraising is a fun twist on traditional school store selling. Pairing products with a timely theme — holidays, homecoming, spirit week — makes the store feel like an event rather than a transaction. For example, offer discounts on monogrammed gift items during the holidays, or promote branded jerseys during homecoming season. You can also run a silent online auction for donated items through the store.

Idea #8 — Offer Digital Student Accounts or a Reward Points System

Student accounts let parents load funds online, which students can then use to make purchases — no cash required. This is a convenient way to introduce contactless payments and reduce the logistics of handling money at the store.

You can also use this system for cafeteria funds, or offer special discounts when students pay with store credit instead of cash. Another option is a Positive Behavior and Interventions (PBIS) store, where students earn tokens for displaying positive behavior and spend them on store items.

Idea #9 — Sell Homemade Treats and Snacks

Snacks are consistently among the top sellers in school stores, especially at the high school level. If you have active parent volunteers, set up sign-ups to keep the store stocked with baked goods and homemade treats. A few things to keep in mind:

• Use high-quality ingredients and ensure all food meets local safety standards
• Know the legal requirements and obtain any necessary licenses or permits
• Label food clearly so customers know what they're getting

Homemade treats give students something they can't find anywhere else — and they tend to sell fast.

Idea #10 — Offer Books, Course Materials and Media

Textbooks and course materials are essentials students need regardless of where they buy them — your store can be the convenient on-campus option. You can also offer digital media like e-books and audiobooks for students to access from any device, or create a media library where students can purchase or rent materials at a discount.

Check with publishers and content providers — some offer bulk discounts to schools that can make the margins work in your favor.

Idea #11 — Sell Event Tickets

Selling event tickets through the school store gives students and families a centralized, convenient place to purchase tickets for any school event or function. It also makes it easier for schools to manage ticket sales and get real-time data on who's buying what.

You can also offer tickets online — a great way to engage families and alumni in advance and make purchasing easier for everyone. This works at all grade levels: high school students often have their own money to buy tickets independently, while elementary school stores provide a helpful hub for family purchases.

Idea #12 — Recycle Used Items for Sale

Selling recycled items promotes sustainability and gives students access to affordable products they might not otherwise be able to buy. The BBC estimates recycling can reduce carbon emissions by 700 million tonnes annually. Good items to include: used books, calculators, bikes, sneakers and gently worn school uniforms.

A few practical tips:

• Have a system to assess each item's condition and set a fair price
• Clean gently used items before putting them up for sale
• Check local and state restrictions — some items may require permits or licenses
• Stick with items students cycle through regularly, like books and school uniforms

Idea #13 — Sell Stationery Supplies

Basic stationery supplies are reliable sellers — especially for elementary students who depend on physical materials rather than digital platforms. Core items to keep in stock:

• Pens, markers and highlighters
• Erasers and rulers
• Paper clips and planners
• Notebooks

Don't forget faculty. Keeping tape, staples and pushpins on hand for teachers — offered at a good discount since supplies come out of their own pockets — is a simple way to build loyalty with staff. Buy in bulk to keep margins healthy.

To stand out, consider going beyond the basics — personalized notebooks and pencils with a student's name or design printed on them give the store a boutique feel that generic supply stores can't match.

Idea #14 — Offer Convenience Services

The school store doesn't have to be limited to physical products. Offering services turns it into a genuine one-stop shop. A few options worth considering:

• Tutoring sign-ups or referrals for students who need extra help
• Online fee payments so parents don't need to come in or send cash with their child
• Printing, lamination and binding services for students and faculty

Set up the store for easy online scheduling and payment, and the convenience factor alone will keep customers coming back.

Idea #15 — Use Online School Store Software

Starting an online school store is a smart way to raise money, build school spirit and make shopping easy for families. Here's how to get started:

1. Choose the right platform

Pick a system built for schools — one that lets you sell items online, track inventory and collect payments securely. RevTrak is a trusted option that simplifies the process from setup to sale.

2. Add popular items to sell

Build your store with products that have broad appeal: school spirit items, branded apparel, custom school gear, snacks and tech accessories all tend to sell well across student, staff and family audiences.

3. Create student and family accounts

Allow parents to create accounts tied to their child so they can pre-load funds or use rewards. This works especially well in schools running a PBIS store or token reward system.

4. Enable secure payment options

Make sure your platform handles secure payments and provides order tracking and receipts for families.

5. Launch and spread the word

Promote through school email, social media and classroom flyers. Highlight new items, feature limited-time offers and build buzz around launches to keep students and families checking back.

Want to create a one-stop shop for your students and families?
Request a free demo with RevTrak to see how easy it is to launch your online school store.