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.
Record spending expected for 2019
Families with children in elementary school through high school plan to spend an average $696.70. That’s up from $684.79 last year.
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Record spending expected for school and college supplies
As students gear up to go back to school and college, families plan to spend more than ever on supplies ranging from pencils and backpacks to computers and dorm refrigerators.
- Total spending for K-12 schools and college combined is projected to reach $80.7 billion
- Clothing and accessories will top K-12 families’ expenses at an average $239.82, followed by electronics at $203.44
- College shoppers plan to spend the most on electronics ($234.69), followed by clothing and accessories ($148.54)
Sales and Back to School
What role do big sales events like Prime Day play in Back to School shopping? More than half of consumers plan their shopping around them.
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Historical highlights
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
- Slideshow: Top trends for 2018 back-to-school and college shopping
- Spotlight: Hispanic back-to-school shoppers
- Podcast: How Gen Z shapes back-to-school shopping
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
- 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
More consumer trends
July retail sales show strong gains but stock market and tariffs could lead to caution in consumer spending
Retail sales were up 0.9 percent in July from June and up 5.6 percent year-over-year.
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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
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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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