USA -- Families everywhere are gearing up for the busy Back-to-School and Back-to-College season. Target makes it easy and affordable for students and their parents to buy all the must-haves before that first homeroom bell rings. From school supplies and trendy fashions, to high-design dorm room decor and high-tech gadgets, Target has the pulse on what's hot among today's style-conscious kids, teens and young adults as well as the right prices for their budget-minded parents.

"At Target we know that the Back-to-School and Back-to-College season can be hectic for families," says Kathee Tesija, executive vice president, Target. "We strive to make it easy for families by offering the convenience of one-stop shopping and a wide product assortment of affordably priced and stylish products that meet students' needs from kindergarten through college."

Target offers discerning students several exclusive collections across the school supplies, fashion and dorm design categories. Beginning this month, Italian artist and Tokidoki founder Simone Legno brings his cool, anime-inspired notebooks, binders, highlighters and backpacks to Target.

On the fashion front, boys and young men can get a fresh fall wardrobe at bargain prices with new designs from the Shaun White 4 Target collection. The recently launched Dror for Target collection, a limited time only collection by famed designer Dror Benshetrit, offers a variety of multi-functional and space-saving solutions for dorms sure to get straight "A"s from college co-eds.

In addition to exclusive designer collections, Target continues to offer a new and exciting range of products that will make a splash with students. Target trend-spotters have covered all of the bases from fashion to school supplies; and, thrifty parents can feel good about getting their kids the latest styles at prices that will not break the bank.

Back-to-School Trend Forecast
Fashion
This fall children want clothing that reflects all of the latest trends. Girls want to dress up in zippered 80s style leggings and rock-inspired T-shirt and vest combos from Xhilaration. Boys will channel workwear-inspired looks from Cherokee. Denim still reigns supreme in the hallways with embellishments and appliques for girls and vintage and distressed styles for boys from Mossimo for Target.

School Supplies, Organizational Tools & Backpacks
School supplies are reinterpreted this season with an eco-chic spin that is light on the planet and the wallet. Target carries adorable Ecogear Organic Cotton Ecozoo backpacks in animal shapes for the youngest students and totes made of reclaimed juice pouches for sophisticated tweens and teens.

Technology
Gadgets and the newest computer accoutrements are important for kids in and out of the classroom. Economical Microsoft computer accessories, help kids tackle their homework while Flip Mino HD video cameras and Skullcandy iPod docks bring technology and entertainment at kid-sized prices.

Gearing Up While Giving Back -- Take Charge of Education
In addition to providing Back-to-School necessities, Target helps ensure schools nationwide are financially able to offer students the best possible education. Take Charge of Education is a school fundraising initiative that offers families, teachers and community members an easy way to designate an eligible K-12 school of their choice nationwide and have Target donate up to one percent of their REDcard purchases.

Back-to-College Trend Forecast
Undergraduates want to express their individuality, independence and fiscal smarts not only with their fashion but with their dorm decor as well. Target provides stylish solutions to make the most of small spaces and budgets in-store and online at Target.com.

Fashion
College students are looking for an eclectic mix when it comes to fashion this fall. Women on campus will turn heads in bold colors and graphic bohemian patterns on maxi dresses and tissue weight T-shirts, and young men will express their free spirits in western-style shirts and graphic hoodies, all from Mossimo for Target. Students can live the athlete lifestyle with hooded sweatshirts, T-shirts and shorts from C9 by Champion.

Dorm Room Furniture & Accessories
Dorm rooms may be small, but co-eds are still looking to live large on a dime. This season students are after furniture and dorm accessories that pull double duty and stretch their decor dollars with chic, modern furniture, bedding and accessories from the Dror for Target collection and dual function pieces like sofa beds, fit for lounging and sleeping. Students can also shop Target.com for extended lines of Back-to-College bedding.

Gadgets & Appliances
Today, dorm rooms double as kitchens, offices and recreation rooms. Students can make the most of a small space with just a few essential gadgets and appliances. A Kalorik Sunny Morning 10-cup coffee maker means plenty of fuel for late night study sessions. After all of the papers are written and exams are handed in, roommates can score cheap thrills watching blockbuster hits on a compact Sceptre Naga 23-inch flat screen television.

Beauty & Basics
This year, parents and their college-bound freshman will continue to look for ways to save money, especially on everyday beauty and cleaning products. Inspired by tabloid journalism, the Soap & Glory, bath, body and beauty collection, available exclusively at Target, is the go-to budget solution for students looking to have fun while they pamper.

Teens can get all of the latest fashion-inspired makeup looks for less with Target prestige beauty collections JK Jemma Kidd, NP Set and Pixi by Petra as well as tools and makeup from the exclusive Sonia Kashuk Beauty line. Further savings can be found throughout the store with the new private label up & up brand. Phasing into stores and Target.com through late September, the line features nearly 800 products spanning more than 40 categories including healthcare, beauty and cleaning. Students can count on up & up to provide exceptional values on everything from shampoo and conditioner to laundry detergent and trash bags.

Conquering the Back-to-School To-Do List -- TargetLists
Making a smooth transition to school and college is a trend that never goes out of style. To simplify Back-to-School and Back-to-College shopping, Target offers TargetLists, a multi-occasion gift and shopping list-making tool designed to make shopping fun and efficient. Using in-store kiosks or accessing online at Target.com/targetlists, students and parents can browse products, create Back-to-School lists, add items and share lists with family and friends. These lists allow parents and students to organize their needs ensuring that they stay on track and on budget.
 
Target