After previously taking place the third weekend of August the past 13 years, Texas’ annual tax-free shopping weekend is scheduled for Aug. 9-11 this year. The weekend was moved up after a Texas Senate bill changed the dates to give parents more time for back-to-school shopping, with the first day of school earlier than the last week of August for some schools.

Two University of North Texas faculty members are available to discuss topics related to the tax-free shopping weekend. Shoppers will save $8 for every $100 they spend on most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks.

Richard Last, director of the digital retail bachelor's degree program in UNT's College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism, is available to discuss the importance of the tax free shopping weekend to retailers, including online retailers.

Last is a past member of the board of directors of the National Retail Federation and the  chairman emeritus of the board of Shop.org, In addition, he is the founder of JCPenney's website, jcp.com, and the former president of JCP Ecommerce L.P., and former director of digital ventures for J.C. Penney Co. Inc. At UNT, he also directs the Global Digital Retailing Research Center.   

Cell phone: 214-244-1595
Email: richard.last@unt.edu

Dr. Terry Clower, director of UNT's Center for Economic Development and Research and an associate professor of applied economics, can discuss the economic impact of the tax-free shopping weekend on the state of Texas.

Clower has conducted research projects for communities and organizations across the state, focusing on community and economic development, retail development strategies and economic and fiscal impact analysis. He teaches courses in economic and community development and the political economy of Texas.

E-mail: TClower@unt.edu
Cell phone number: 214-202-4692
Office phone number: 940-565-4049