Back to School

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 2023 back-to-class season.

Back to school
 
Back-to-school spending trends in 2023

The first day of class is only days or weeks away for many, and consumers of all ages are still prepping for the school year. We already know consumers are planning to spend at record levels this back-to-class season, but as the season comes to a close, how are people finishing up their preparations for the start of classes? Read our blog post to get a glimpse into the back-to-class shopping home stretch.

A backpack and school supplies.
 
Back-to-school spending to reach $41.5 billion

Consumers are expected to spend record amounts for both back-to-school and back-to-college shopping this year. Back-to-school spending is expected to reach an unparalleled $41.5 billion, up from $36.9 billion last year and the previous high of $37.1 billion in 2021. Back-to-college spending is expected to hit $94 billion, about $20 billion more than last year’s record. Watch the webinar.

 

Slideshow: View the slides above for data on spending and shopping plans for the back-to-school season.

Watch the webinar

 

Slideshow: Click through the interactive slideshow for insights from NRF and GfK on generational and back-to-class trends.

Student spending in 2023

Check out back-to-school vs. back-to-college spending habits of consumers this season.

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Back-to-Class Data Center

Take a deep dive into the NRF Back-to-Class Data Center to learn more about school shopping consumer trends.

 
back to school
 

Historical highlights

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

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