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
NRF survey says more than 164 million consumers plan to shop over five-day Thanksgiving weekend
Black Friday remains the busiest day of the weekend, with 71 percent planning to shop that day.
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This holiday, discounts will win shoppers
5 retail sales and promotions trends leading up to Thanksgiving weekend.
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Consumers will spend 4.1 percent more than last year during winter holidays
Consumers will spend $1,007.24 during the 2018 holiday season.
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2018 In-Store Holiday Shopping
A survey of 1,200 customers to find out what motivates them and influences their holiday shopping experience.
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Father’s Day spending to reach near-record $15.3 billion
77 percent of Americans will celebrate Father’s Day
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3 ways retailers can meet the wishes of Millennial moms and dads
NRF’s research team identifies retail trends for young parents.
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