Via proprietary solutions we can analyse shopper intent and identify the top 100 searched keywords on Amazon during August to tease out the trends and compare them to prior periods.

The illustration below shows the most searched terms on Amazon in August, with the word size relating to search frequency and back-to-school items highlighted in blue.

Pencil cases, backpacks, desks and school bags for girls have made prominent appearances – in fact ‘pencil cases’ are ranked as the second most searched for item on Amazon across the month, ranking higher than the most awaited and desired entertainment options like ‘PS5’, ‘Lego’ and ‘Xbox’.

The leading back-to-school terms showed a dramatic uplift in volume of searches as the re-opening date drew ever closer.

The below graph demonstrates the proportional increase of search volume across the top back-to-school categories. The top key words (‘Pencil cases,’ ‘Backpacks,’ ‘School Shoes’) all attracted a search volume increase of over 80% on average vs the previous month of July.

How has back to school shopping evolved since 2020?
The back-to-school season this year is set to be dramatically different to the same period last year, as students revert to attending school programs in person.

This trend coincides with the fact that 2021 offers a plethora of choice to purchase back-to-school items – covering both online stores as well as the traditional high street brick and mortar options.

Comparing Amazon search terms from Aug 2021 to the same period the previous year (Aug 2020), the data shows that despite multiple in person options being available, the behaviour of online shopping for back-to-school items has not only been maintained from the year prior, but in multiple categories has in fact increased significantly.

Items such as highlighters, backpacks and sharpeners have shown >50% increases in Amazon search volume.

The notable outlier, showing a drop in Amazon search volume is seen on durable electronic items such as Notebooks; albeit that this category may have been artificially inflated the year prior by the additional factors such as commercial demand for laptops.

Amazon continues to be a significant value add for brands looking to build awareness in the search for top funnel, new to brand customers. One method to improve a company’s (and their respective products ranking) on Amazon is with an accurate and targeted keyword optimization strategy. The list below shows the top brands dominating each of the most notable back-to-school categories.

What brands are topping the shopping list on Amazon?
Winners based on greatest share of click rate for Aug ‘21:

‘Pencil Cases’ – Easthill
‘Backpack’ – Vans
‘School Shoes’ – Kickers
‘Notebooks’ – SUMMIT
‘Lunchbox’ – Sistema
‘Stationery’ – Bic
‘Stationery Set’ – Staedtler
‘Pens’ – Bic
‘Pencils’ – Staedtler
‘Colouring Pencils’ – Staedtler
‘Colour Pens’ – Paper Mae
‘Crayons’ – Crayola
‘Highlighter’ – STABILO
‘Scissors’ – Westcott
‘Permanent Marker’ – Sharpie
‘Ruler’ – Helix-Oxford
‘Glue’ – Pritt
‘Eraser’ – Helix Oxford
‘Sharpener’ – Staedtler
‘Sticky Notes’ – Snopake
‘Mathematical Set’ – Helix Oxford
‘Ring Binder’ – Exacompta
‘Highlighter’ – STABILO
Scientific Calculator – Casio
‘Portable charger’ – INIU
‘Laptop’ – ASUS
‘Diary’ – Amazon’s EONO
School Uniform – Luxe Diva
Dictionary – Oxford Paperback Dictionary & Thesaurus
Keyboard – Kensington

For more information on how to leverage consumer behaviour trends on Amazon get in touch here – info@acorn-i.com