Virginia’s annual sales tax holiday, exempting shoppers from state and local sales tax on the purchase of office supplies, clothing and other qualifying back-to-school, emergency and energy-efficient items, will be held next weekend, Aug. 5-7.

Customers will be able to purchase school supplies, clothing, footwear, emergency-preparedness equipment, and specific energy-efficient products without paying state or local sales tax. In practice, this tax holiday means consumers will save 5.3 and 6 percent on qualifying purchases, depending on the county.

“This sales tax holiday will make items that help families prepare for the school year or for a potential emergency more affordable,” said Governor McAuliffe. “It is my hope that shoppers will use this time to get their children the items they need to succeed in school.”

Items eligible for the sales tax holiday include most school and office supplies, clothing and footwear priced under $100 per item, batteries...