NRF has been conducting its annual back-to-school and back-to-college surveys since 2003 with Prosper Insights & Analytics to see how American families will shop for clothing, supplies and other items for the next school year. Check out the resources below for a deep dive into the 2024 back-to-class season.
As of early July, more than half (55%) of back-to-school and college shoppers have already begun buying items for the upcoming school year, according to the annual survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.
July 23, 2024, 1:00 PM Eastern Time
Join NRF's Chief Economist, Jack Kleinhenz and Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights, Katherine Cullen as they discuss the latest data on consumers' shopping and spending plans for the upcoming 2024 back-to-school season.
For some consumers, it’s never too early to be planning their back-to-class shopping.
Historical highlights
2023
- Articles: A look at what’s left for back-to-class shopping
- Press Release: Back-to-Class Shopping Expected to Reach Record Levels
- Video: 2023 Back-to-school consumer trends
- Slides: Back-to-class 2023, Back-to-class across generations
2022
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Articles: Spending more for back-to-school, Back-to-school trends to know
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Press release: Families prioritize back-to-school spending amidst inflation
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Video: 2022 Back-to-school trends
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Slides: 2022 Retail overview
2021
- Article: A summer snapshot of back-to-school trends
- Podcast: A look at back-to-school 2021 consumer research
- Press release: 2021 Brings back-to-class shopping to record levels
- Video: 2021 Back-to-school trends
2020
- Article: How brands can use social to connect with Gen Z
- Press release: Coronavirus could push back-to-school spending to record level
2019
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July survey: Record spending expected for school and college supplies
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August survey: Back-to-school shopping update: Halfway done but more to do
2018
- July survey: Back-to-school and college spending to reach $82.8 billion
- August consumer survey: Back-to-Class shopping continues as school begins
- Podcast: How Gen Z shapes back-to-school shopping
- Slideshow: Top trends for 2018 back-to-school and college shopping
- Spotlight: Hispanic back-to-school shoppers
2017
- July consumer survey: Back-to-school and back-to-college spending to reach $83.6 billion
- August consumer survey: More parents holding off on back-to-school shopping
- Article: Class is in session — 3 lessons for retailers this back-to-school season
- Infographic: Back-to-class with NRF
- Slideshow: Back-to-school and back-to-college
2016
- July consumer survey: Back-to-school and college spending to reach $75.8 billion
- August consumer survey: Families aren’t finished with back-to-school shopping
- Article and SlideShare: A look at 2016’s top trends
- Infographic: A closer look at back-to-school shopping