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Massachusetts shoppers and retailers prepare for Sales Tax Holiday weekend

WALPOLE, Mass. — It is mid-August, and in retail, it’s “back-to-school” season.

In Massachusetts, this weekend is something more: it’s a sales tax-free weekend.

“I think people want a deal, particularly the way inflation has been, consumer purse strings have been tight,” Consumerworld.org founder Edgar Dworsky told Boston 25 News. “They are putting more and more on credit cards. So six and a quarter to them on a big ticket item can be substantial savings.”

At the Walmart Supercenter in Walpole, it’s a busy “Day Before the Sales Tax Holiday.”

And that might mean, it’s going to be a big weekend.

“They’ve been in, eyeballing their items, making sure, you got plenty of this. Lot of that going on this week,” Walmart’s Tony Tiner said.

So, what are people expected to buy?

At Walmart, the push is on for back-to-school items: notebooks, computers, headphones.

Vision ware is also popular during the tax-free weekend.

And for customers who may be struggling with higher prices and stagnant wages, the tax-free weekend is a much-needed bargain.

“It helps in the little bit you have to pay for in the normal day-to-day, just have that little break, it helps,” said Shane Tate of Stoughton.

“Obviously, I think every bit helps for everybody right now with the economy. So a tax break is great for whoever can take advantage of it,” added Kelsie Rand of Brockton.

As you compile your tax-free shopping list, Dworsky says to make sure you get the best deal possible by price shopping.

And don’t forget, big sales could be around the corner.

“Why save 6 ½ percent if you are likely to get a better sale price soon?” Dworsky said. “Remember, Black Friday is only three months away and that’s certainly the single best shopping day of the year.”

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