The pattern in the data

Looking at 148,000 CardCookie transactions from 2025, one trend stood out: families weren't buying one large gift card and calling it a day. They were buying smaller cards ($10 and $25 denominations) repeatedly, at the retailers they were already shopping at for back-to-school essentials.

The result: an average savings of $54 per customer. For repeat shoppers, that number climbs to more than four times as much.

Where the savings add up

CardCookie makes it possible to buy gift cards for major back-to-school retailers at a discount, then use them exactly like a normal gift card at checkout:

Best Buy up to 10% off laptops, tablets, headphones, and calculators Walmart — up to 6% off supplies, backpacks, clothing, and dorm basics Target — up to 10% off dorm supplies, stationery, and everyday essentials

There's no coupon code to find, no sale to time, and no need to shop somewhere new. Shoppers simply buy the gift card first, then check out as usual at the store they were already headed to.

Why electronics are leading the way

Electronics accounted for nearly 15% of all CardCookie sales in 2025. That tells a clear story: families are already applying this savings strategy to their biggest back-to-school purchases, like laptops and tablets. As college and school shopping lists fill up with tech, this is often where the discount makes the biggest dollar-for-dollar difference.

The takeaway

Saving on back to school doesn't have to mean more effort, it can mean one small step before a purchase that was already on the list. Buying a discounted gift card takes a few minutes and turns everyday shopping into built-in savings, week after week.