Shoppers can purchase clothes, shoes and school supplies tax-free during the sales tax holiday this Friday and Saturday.

Eligible clothing items and school supplies priced under $100 will not be subject to Mississippi’s 7 percent sales tax. There are 41 eligible school supply items, including backpacks, textbooks, typical office supplies and some art supplies. Aside from calculators, electronics are not included on the list of school supplies eligible for the sales tax holiday.

Apple’s Ltd. in Poplarville got a jumpstart on tax free weekend by lowering prices all week to match the tax free prices, said employee Mercedes Mayfield.

“We’ve had a good bit of people come in this week for uniforms,” Mayfield said.

April’s in Picayune is expecting a typical weekend turnout from clothing shoppers, since Pearl River School District has changed their uniform rules, said manager Paula Mendoza. The store carries school uniforms and prints decals on shirts, Mendoza said.

Fly Boutique and Uniforms by Bales will both be offering 20 percent off sales. Fly Boutique store manager Jordan Herbert expects a slight increase in customers, she said.

“People love to shop when they have a good little deal,” Herbert said.

Uniforms by Bales, which carries scrubs and uniforms for St. Charles of Borromeo Catholic School, is expecting a definite increase in the number of customers during the sales tax holiday, said sales associate Charlotte Johnston.

Glamour Girl Boutique owner Paula Spiers also expects an influx of customers, she said. Glamour Girl Boutique will offer $10 sale racks and a 30 percent discount on blue jeans, Spiers said, along with a drawing for gift certificates. The sales tax holiday benefits local businesses, she said.

“I think it’s a great thing. I enjoy giving the customers that extra little bit of savings,” Spiers said.