NRF has been conducting its annual Back-to-School and Back-to-College surveys since 2003 to see how American families will shop for clothing, supplies and other items for the next school year.
Back-to-school and college spending to reach $82.8B
July consumer survey: Many parents and college students said they were waiting for the best deals to complete their shopping lists. Total spending for K-12 schools and college combined is projected to reach $82.8 billion, nearly as high as last year’s $83.6 billion.
Back-to-class by the numbers
- Shoppers spend more on back-to-school and back-to-college than consumers spend on Mother's Day, Father's Day and Valentine's Day combined.
- Back to college drives the majority of spending - an expected $55.3 billion.
- Men spend $115 more on average than women on back-to-college.
How Gen Z shapes back-to-class shopping
Back-to-college spending is expected to reach $55 billion this year, and many of those shopping for themselves are members of Generation Z. Learn how this first generation to grow up with the internet and smartphones is shaping the retail landscape on NRF's podcast Retail Gets Real.
More on back-to-school
Back-to-Class shopping continues as school begins
Consumers had completed just over half their shopping as students head back to class this month.
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Back-to-school spotlight: Hispanic shoppers
One in four kids belong to Hispanic families in the U.S.
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3 ways events like Prime Day are changing the back-to-school calendar
The way customers approach shopping for the season has changed in recent years.
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Historical highlights
2017
- August consumer survey: More parents holding off on back-to-school shopping
- July consumer survey: Back-to-school and back-to-college spending to reach $83.6 billion
- Slideshow: Back-to-school and back-to-college
- Infographic: Back-to-class with NRF
- Article: Class is in session — 3 lessons for retailers this back-to-school season
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
2015
- Press release: After splurging in 2014, families trim back-to-school spending for 2015
- Infographic: A look at the most interesting insights — from free shipping to school uniforms — from NRF’s annual survey
2014
More consumer trends
Father’s Day spending expected to reach all-time high of $16 billion
Father's Day spending expected to hit all-time high at $16 billion
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3 ways Mother’s Day gift shopping has evolved
Flowers are never out of style, but consumers are celebrating mom in more unique ways.
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Mother’s Day expected to deliver highest consumer spending to date
Mother’s Day spending hits record high at $25 billion in 2019, up from $23.1 billion in 2018.
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3 ways younger consumers are embracing Easter
Three ways consumers under 35 have evolved their Easter celebrations.
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2018 holiday sales grew 2.9 percent amid turmoil over trade policy and delay in data collection
Holiday retail sales in 2018 grew 2.9 percent to $707.5 billion.
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Fewer consumers celebrating Valentine’s Day but those who do are spending more
Americans are expected to spend a record amount this year.
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