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They say it's never too early to start getting ready for the upcoming school year, and Tuesday, Staples Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) announced it was officially kicking off the back-to-school shopping season. This came as a reaction to a survey showing that parents would indeed like to know when they could start finding school supplies on store shelves.

And what can be easier than establishing an official start to the back-to-school shopping season? Based on the example of Black Friday, which announces the start of the winter holiday shopping season, Staples followed the same logic and decided to declare July 8 as the official opening day of the 2008 back-to-school shopping season. Staples is serious about setting an official precedent, and celebrated it by ringing the bell to open the NASDAQ Tuesday.

"Staples is giving parents a clear road map of where and when to the find the best products and deals this season," the company stated. But the more apparent reality is that the current economic environment has consumers more closely watching their spending, while at the same time stores are trying to do anything they can to get shoppers through the doors.

In order to promote this shopping season, Staples started a campaign called "Do Something 101" together with Dosomething.org and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks. Under the promotion, teens are advised to collect school supplies and bring them to Staple stores, or make a donation of $2 for other students who may need some help. I'm sure that thousand of students would be glad to receive some help from those able to offer it.

Eliza Popescu is a financial writer for the online investment advisory service Investor's Observer.