Local retailers were busy Wednesday afternoon stocking shelves and putting out new merchandise in preparation for the annual tax-free weekend.

The event will begin at 12:01 a.m., tomorrow, Fri., July 21, and end at midnight Sun., July 23.

The holiday exempts items such as school supplies that are less than $50; computer and tablets that are less than $750; books that are less than $30; and clothing that is less than $100 per article.

Locally, the cities of Andalusia, Opp, Florala, Red Level and Covington County are participating in the tax-free weekend.

River Falls, Lockhart and Gantt are not participating.

Pink Peppers said they just received a new shipment of backpacks and stainless steel water bottles for those who need to knock that off their list.

They were busy getting things ready for the back-to-school rush.

At Maurices, employees said they were putting out their fall and winter products and they had a good selection of clearance.

Downtown, Ward and Co. owner Mike Ward said he was having a big clearance sale, and he had plenty of new stuff.

“We have backpacks and flip flops,” he said. “We are having a lot of sales and we have plenty of clothes to choose from.”

At Oasis and Lena Ellen Boutique, Janna Jeffcoat said that this week they have already started putting out all the jeans that pass dress code and they have already got in a lot of tops.

“We have shipments of dress code-approved tops coming in every day,” she said. “People also forget that anyone can come in and get clothes tax free this weekend.”

At Utopia Salon, Suzanne Lunsford said they have already received one shipment this week and are expecting a few more.

“We will have a fill a bag and receive 25 percent off what’s in the bag,” she said. “We have clothes juniors size through 3XL.”