Back-to-school “little stuff” isn’t little money. In a 2025 survey, National Retail Federation (NRF) found K–12 shoppers budgeted $143.77 on average for school supplies (within $858.07 total across supplies, clothes, shoes, and electronics). (nrf.com)

Barcode scan apps are one of the easiest ways to keep that number from quietly ballooning—because they turn a random notebook or pack of markers into a price you can compare right now.

How barcode scan savings actually works (simple version)

Most school supplies have a UPC/EAN barcode. When you scan it, the app:

  • Identifies the exact product (or the closest match)
  • Pulls up prices (online, in-store, or both—depending on the app)
  • Surfaces discounts like coupons, member deals, or manufacturer offers
  • Sometimes tracks price history and alerts you when the price drops

The “savings” usually comes from one (or more) of these moves:

  • Price-checking in seconds so you don’t pay a convenience premium
  • Switching retailers when the exact item is cheaper elsewhere
  • Stacking store deals (Target Circle, Walmart offers, etc.)
  • Waiting for a drop on higher-priced items (calculators, backpacks, headphones)

A quick scan workflow that stays realistic

When you’re shopping (in-store or online), here’s the rhythm that tends to work best:

  1. Scan the barcode (or use the app’s scan icon).
  2. Check the “all-in” cost: price + shipping + tax + any required membership.
  3. Decide the goal: cheapest now vs. set an alert and buy later.

NRF’s 2025 data shows people are already adapting: 67% had started shopping by early July, and 51% said they were shopping earlier due to tariff-related price concerns. (nrf.com)

“Consumers are being mindful of the potential impacts of tariffs and inflation on back-to-school items.” — Katherine Cullen, NRF (nrf.com)

5 barcode scan apps that help you spend less

1) ShopSavvy (best for cross-store price checks + alerts)

ShopSavvy is the classic “scan it and compare it” tool. You scan a barcode and it’s built to compare and track prices, then notify you on drops. (shopsavvy.com)

What it’s like to use (real life): You scan a glue stick or calculator, get a list of retailers, then toss it on a watchlist if today’s price isn’t great.

Pros

  • Strong barcode-to-price-compare workflow (shopsavvy.com)
  • Price-drop alerts/watchlist makes timing easier (shopsavvy.com)
  • Helpful when you’re not loyal to one store

Cons

  • Results can vary by item/retailer coverage (some school-supply SKUs match cleaner than others)
  • You still need to sanity-check shipping/returns on the final retailer page

2) Walmart app Scanner (best for in-store price checks at Walmart)

Walmart’s own app has a built-in Scanner designed to “know the price of any item just by scanning it,” and it can show price, availability, reviews, and manufacturer offers (where available). (walmart.com)

What it’s like to use (real life): You spot a binder or pencils, scan it from the aisle, and immediately see the product page details and pricing. (walmart.com)

Pros

  • Fast in-store price/offer check tied to Walmart listings (walmart.com)
  • Useful for catching rollbacks/clearance-type surprises while you’re already there
  • Reduces “guessing” when shelf labels are missing or confusing

Cons

  • Mainly optimizes Walmart shopping (it’s not trying to compare every store)
  • In-store and online prices/offers can differ, so you may need an extra tap to confirm the exact fulfillment option

3) Target app (best for stacking Target Circle deals with one scan)

Target positions its app as a “shopping and saving sidekick,” and one standout back-to-school feature is “Save & pay in a single scan” using the Wallet barcode to apply savings like Target Circle deals, gift cards, and Target Circle Card savings. (target.com)

What it’s like to use (real life): You scan items for info, then at checkout you scan the Wallet barcode once to apply eligible savings tied to your account. (target.com)

Pros

  • Smooth “one barcode” checkout moment for applying Target-linked savings (target.com)
  • Great when your list includes lots of small items (folders, crayons, paper)
  • Helps you stay consistent on deal application instead of hoping the cashier catches everything

Cons

  • Savings depend on what deals are active and what’s eligible
  • Best value if you’re comfortable using Target’s app ecosystem (account, Circle, Wallet)

4) Amazon Shopping (best for quick online price comparison via barcode)

Amazon’s app includes a scan/Lens flow that can search by barcode scan and pull up the matching product so you can compare price and delivery options. (apps.apple.com)

What it’s like to use (real life): You tap the scan icon in the search bar, scan the barcode, and Amazon tries to find the exact match (or the closest equivalent). (apps.apple.com)

Pros

  • Fast way to answer: “Is this cheaper on Amazon right now?” (apps.apple.com)
  • Great for replenishing repeat buys (pens you already know you like)
  • Convenient delivery comparison (especially for bulky supplies)

Cons

  • The “same item” problem: marketplace listings can be near-duplicates, so you have to verify brand/quantity
  • Shipping speed/price can change the real total fast, so check the final checkout cost

Trend note: Amazon says “tens of millions” use Amazon Lens monthly and reported usage growth of 50%+ year-over-year (company-reported). (aboutamazon.com)

5) BuyVia “Price Scanner Barcode” (best for quick online price + coupon hunting)

BuyVia’s iOS app listing describes scanning “ANY Barcode / QR Code” to quickly find the “BEST price online and coupons,” including major retailers. (apps.apple.com)

What it’s like to use (real life): You scan an item, then skim for price/coupon angles when you’re willing to buy online instead of grabbing it immediately.

Pros

  • Built for barcode-first comparison and deal discovery (apps.apple.com)
  • Handy when you’re trying to avoid impulse buys in-store
  • Good “second opinion” app alongside a retailer app

Cons

  • The App Store listing notes it’s not designed for some low-priced items (so results may be hit-or-miss for cheap basics). (apps.apple.com)
  • As with any deal app, you still need to verify the final retailer checkout total

Current trends you’ll notice this school-supply season

  • Earlier shopping + deal events: NRF highlighted shoppers starting earlier and planning around July sales events; Deloitte likewise found spending staying steady while value-seeking stays intense. (nrf.com)
  • More brand-switching when prices sting: Deloitte reported 75% of surveyed parents would shift brands if the preferred brand is too expensive. (deloitte.com)
  • Mass merchants dominate the “value run”: Deloitte reported 83% plan to shop mass merchants (survey-based), which makes store scanners (Walmart/Target) especially useful. (deloitte.com)

Bottom line (no drama)

Barcode scan apps don’t magically make school supplies cheap—but they do remove the “I hope this is a good price” guesswork. With spending averages like $143.77 for supplies alone, a few better decisions on the priciest items can make the whole list feel more controllable. (nrf.com)

References