Retailers Prepare To Be 'Slammed' This Tax-Free Weekend

This weekend is tax-free weekend across Oklahoma and stores are getting ready for what's become Christmas in August. It's your chance to save money and get your kids ready for the upcoming school year.

The signs are up and the stores are making sure their shelves are stocked.

And Jessica Jenkins is on a mission. She's looking for her 11-year-old daughter's new wardrobe for school.

"It's always just so expensive," Jenkins said.

Her quest to save money comes as tax-free weekend approaches. It's three days out of the year when the state suspends city, county, and state sales taxes.

Her stop Wednesday took her to K. Renee's Uniform Closet, a family owned business that got the jump on tax-free weekend a few days early with its own special sale.

Tim Schooley said they want customers, "coming in Monday through Thursday. The reason that we try to do that is so that we're not so slammed Friday, Saturday, Sunday."

"Slammed" is exactly what Schooley expects this weekend.

"I will be, probably, at this register all day ringing out people," he said.

Schooley said the sales tax holiday weekend is just as busy as Black Friday or last minute Christmas shoppers.

"We'll have what we call 'all hands on deck,'" Schooley said.

The state tax commission says shoppers in Oklahoma saved nearly $7 million in sales tax during last year's tax-free weekend.

Big stores like Target also plan sales around the event to draw in even more customers.

"We're really excited and we're prepared to help our guests," said Laurie Brimmer, of Target.

Not everything will be free of sales tax this weekend, though. It's mostly clothes or shoes for school that do not go over $100 and it doesn't include accessories like jewelry, purses or handbags, wallets, watches, umbrellas, or shoes that are meant for specific athletic activities.

Retailers say the weekend's a big boom for business, and if you have a loved one who has to work this weekend, a little sympathy will go a long way.

"If you know anyone that works retail, offer to bring them lunch, an energy drink, a cup of coffee--they could use the help," Schooley said.

The state tax commission says all retail stores are required to participate in tax-free weekend. The state also reimburses cities and counties any sales tax revenue they lose during the weekend.

Learn more about Oklahoma Sales Tax Holiday