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.

Back to school stats

• Families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend $848.90, $59 more than last year, on average on back-to-school items. Total back-to-school spending is expect to reach $37.1B up from $33.9B last year and an all-time high in the survey's history.
• College students and their families are also setting records in spending. Total spending on back-to-college is expected to reach $71B up from $67.7B in 2020.

Historical highlights

2020

• Press release: Coronavirus could push back-to-school spending to record level
• Article: How brands can use social to connect with Gen Z

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

• Press release: After splurging in 2014, families trim back-to-school spending for 2015