Student ID cards are not only used for redeeming Dining Dollars, proving student identities and getting in free to sporting events. Many retail locations offer student and teacher discounts ranging from 10 to 20 percent, depending on the store, with the presentation of an ID card.
Charlotte Russe, a young adult clothing store featuring trendy women's fashion, is one of many stores where student discounts can be utilized.
"I think giving student discounts is an important way to encourage students to shop at our store, and to keep them coming back. It gets our merchandise on campus and raises the chances of returning customers, but it also brings the students benefits. Any discount is important at this time in a student's life," said Kate McTyre, junior studio art major and employee at Charlotte Russe.
In addition to Charlotte Russe, which offers a 10 percent discount, many other retail locations offer discounts to students and teachers. J. Crew, Banana Republic, and Madewell offer discounts of 15 percent, and Ann Taylor Loft offers a discount of 20 percent.
"When people know they can get a discount, they usually become regulars. The customers believe that being able to receive a discount gives them an advantage over those who are not either students nor teachers," said Elyse Bronson, employee at J.Crew at the Shops of Saddle Creek.
Many retailers offer student discounts because they understand the financial struggle that many students face with loans, raising tuition and other costs.
"Typically students are struggling without a very large income, and we want to offer as much assistance as we can," Mark Dobbins, merchant at Banana Republic in the Oak Court Mall said.
"Our store is filled with more work-based fashion which is definitely a big hit with many students looking for clothing to interview in or to wear to their more corporate jobs right out of college," he said.
Although many retail locations offer student discounts, very few students know about them. Many of the stores only publicize them inside the stores' dressing rooms, on media sites or email lists where customers must be signed up to hear about discounts and promos.
"I find it a bit strange that the stores do not advertise the discounts to the students more. It makes it seem like they do not really want to offer it unless the person at the cashier brings it up, or we have to rely by word of mouth from our peers," said Shelby Wilson, senior film and video production major.
Although many stores do not openly publicize student discounts, once students find out which stores offer them, they have a variety of locations to select clothing from. From business attire to casual clothing, there is an array of locations with many different styles.
"It is pretty cool that they offer student discounts at so may different stores. Many of these places are so versatile that all people can find something towards their liking, but it would definitely help them out if they publicized to us more," said Lindsey Steffenhagen, senior international business major. "We would shop and then your friends would hear about it, which would ultimately help the businesses out. They help us and we help them."
