Acima Meets Seasonal Demand with Lease-to-Own

07/29/25

Back-to-school season continues to be one of the most active retail periods of the year. Consumers begin browsing and buying well before the first bell rings. (1)  

This year, however, back-to-school shopping is being shaped by economic pressure and shifting consumer behavior. There is a growing emphasis on affordability, payment options and seamless cross-channel experiences. (2) 

In retail, a lease-to-own (LTO) solution like Acima offers retailers a way to serve more consumers, particularly those who are underserved by financing. 

Budget Pressure Is Reshaping the Season 

61% of parents report feeling stressed about back-to-school shopping. (3) This isn't just due to long lists or time constraints—economic uncertainty and concerns are driving changes in how, where, and when purchases happen. 

 Key shifts include: 

  • Back-to-school shopping starting early: Many consumers began in June or early July, getting a head start on the season (2) 
  • Consumers are prioritizing deals: 37% of consumers say buying items on sale is their top way to save this back-to-school season (4) 
  • Income is influencing shopping choices: Consumers earning over $75K are almost twice as likely to shop online as those earning less, who tend to stick with in-store shopping (5) 

The Price of Getting Ready for the School Year 

Back-to-school is a high-pressure shopping period, with families often spending hundreds—or even over a thousand dollars—on items needed for the school year. (1)   

Many are rethinking how they pay at checkout, seeking ways to manage costs throughout the season. For retailers, that growing need for flexibility opens the door to solutions like LTO.  

Getting Ready for What’s Ahead 

Retailers that offer alternatives to credit and financing during peak shopping seasons are better equipped to turn traffic into transactions. 

Offering LTO with Acima positions retailers to: 

  • Support more consumers who don’t have access to credit 
  • Convert store and site traffic into completed transactions during peak seasons 
  • Build loyalty by offering a payment experience that consumers trust and return to 

Ready to support more consumers across peak seasons? Let’s talk about how LTO with Acima fits into your retail strategy. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are some additional benefits for retailers who partner with Acima? 

Acima makes it easy for retailers to offer LTO with simple integration, staff guidance materials, and LTO marketing support.  

How should retailers evaluate payment solutions? 

Start with your consumers—what do they need at checkout, and how do they shop? Then, consider how well a solution aligns with your current system. Acima’s LTO option integrates seamlessly with platforms like Shopify, Magento, and ChargeAfter, allowing for easy integration without disrupting your workflow. 

 What are practical ways to promote LTO in-store and online? 

To promote LTO, retailers can: 

  • Promote early: Highlight LTO options through your website, social media, and in-store signage 
  • Train your staff: Ensure employees understand the LTO process to confidently assist customers 
  • Feature popular items: Showcase high-demand products like furniture, electronics, and appliances that are ideal for LTO 
  • Offer incentives: Consider special promotions or discounts for customers using LTO 

Implementing these strategies can help retailers connect with more customers and support revenue growth. 

The content of this article is provided solely for general interest and should not be relied upon or construed as any form of advice, whether legal, financial, or otherwise. Receipt or use of this information does not create any sort of relationship between us. 

 

Sources: 

  1. National Retail Federation (NRF). 3 ways the economy is impacting back-to-school this year 
  2. Think with Google. Back-to-school shopping behaviour 2025 
  3. TeacherLists. With anxiety about back-to-school shopping on the rise, the number of families planning to shop in June nearly doubles 
  4. Retail TouchPoints. PwC back-to-school survey: 37% of parents will only buy items on sale 
  5. PwC. Back-to-school education spending