Staples: Neon is the ‘hottest fashion trend’ of the back-to-school shopping season

By Chris Reidy, Globe Staff

Neon pencil pouches and locker chandeliers could be among top selling items during the upcoming back-to-school shopping season, Staples Inc. said.

As a general rule, the Framingham-based company rings up the lion’s share of its sales selling office supplies to small businesses and people with home offices as its big customers. But at back-to-school time, the retailer also gets lots of store traffic from students and parents looking to load up on needed items for the new school year.

The locker chandelier. This photo was included with the Staples press release.

To woo that customer segment, Staples used a Tuesday press release to announce the return of its Back-to-School Savings Pass, which provides a 15 percent discount on supplies. Available for purchase for $10 through Aug. 31, the savings pass is valid through Sept. 21, to accommodate the multiple trips often required to prepare for the new school year.

In the old days, when students used slide rules and fountain pens, product lines were generally infused with about as much excitement as a chalky pedagogue’s wardrobe. Now, though, a flair for fashion is de rigeur for the stylish scholar.

“Neon is the hottest fashion trend of the season,” Staples decrees.

And if Staples has it right, everything from tablet cases to backpacks should be ablaze this season in such florid hues as orange, blue, and lime green. “Bold pink” (as opposed to the other kind) should also be popular.

Lurid outbursts of color won’t be confined to accessories. Thanks to advances in fiber-optic technology, Staples says it now offers the Glo-Lite collection of staplers, rulers, and dry-erase boards that light up when pushed.

Then there are products for the locker. They include the Magnetic Motion Sensor Locker Chandelier, glitter rugs, and magnetic wallpaper.

“School supplies need to reflect students’ individual styles, and we are excited by this year’s amazing selection, all at great values,”Alison Corcoran, senior vice president, stores and online marketing at Staples, said in a statement. “Staples makes it easy to find everything on your list for less this back-to-school season.”