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 2024 back-to-class season.
As of early July, more than half (55%) of back-to-school and college shoppers have already begun buying items for the upcoming school year, according to the annual survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.
For some consumers, it’s never too early to be planning their back-to-class shopping.
Historical highlights
2023
- Articles: A look at what’s left for back-to-class shopping
- Press Release: Back-to-Class Shopping Expected to Reach Record Levels
- Video: 2023 Back-to-school consumer trends
- Slides: Back-to-class 2023, Back-to-class across generations
2022
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Articles: Spending more for back-to-school, Back-to-school trends to know
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Press release: Families prioritize back-to-school spending amidst inflation
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Video: 2022 Back-to-school trends
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Slides: 2022 Retail overview
2021
- Article: A summer snapshot of back-to-school trends
- Podcast: A look at back-to-school 2021 consumer research
- Press release: 2021 Brings back-to-class shopping to record levels
- Video: 2021 Back-to-school trends
2020
- Article: How brands can use social to connect with Gen Z
- Press release: Coronavirus could push back-to-school spending to record level
2019
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July survey: Record spending expected for school and college supplies
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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
- Podcast: How Gen Z shapes back-to-school shopping
- Slideshow: Top trends for 2018 back-to-school and college shopping
- Spotlight: Hispanic back-to-school shoppers
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
- Article: Class is in session — 3 lessons for retailers this back-to-school season
- Infographic: Back-to-class with NRF
- Slideshow: Back-to-school and back-to-college
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