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.
Coronavirus could push back-to-school spending to record level
Uncertain families gear up for at-home learning
More laptops and computer accessories drive spending.
- Parents with children in elementary school through high school say they plan to spend an average $789.49 per family, topping the previous record of $696.70 they said they would spend last year.
- Spending is expected to total $33.9 billion, up from $26.2 billion last year and breaking the record of $30.3 billion set in 2012.
Back-to-school spending stats
1
Historical highlights
2019
-
July survey: Record spending expected for school and college supplies
-
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
- 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
NRF chief economist says pandemic made this year's holiday forecast the most challenging ever
The pandemic has presented unique circumstances for the nation's economy, making forecasting more difficult than ever.
Read more
Holiday Shoppers Take Advantage of Early, Thanksgiving Weekend Deals
Holiday Shoppers Take Advantage of Early, Thanksgiving Weekend Deals Primary tabs
Read more
1-800-Flowers offers new ways to observe the holidays
Retail Gets Real episode 196: Ideas for celebrating Thanksgiving miles apart.
Read more
NRF expects holiday sales will grow between 3.6 and 5.2 percent
NRF expects holiday sales will increase to between $755.3 billion and $766.7 billion.
Read more
6 ways retailers are making holiday shopping safe, merry and bright
From reservations to expanded promotions, retailers continue to meet customers’ needs.
Read more
October retail sales grew as consumers started holiday shopping early
Retail sales grew for the sixth month in a row in October, with sales significantly better than a year ago.
Read more