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Contacts

For media inquiries, contact:
Kathy Grannis
grannisk@nrf.com
202-626-8189

For all other questions, email:
press@nrf.com

Back-to-School Headquarters

With only weeks until
school starts, shoppers’
lists still long

As of the first week of August, only 40%
of K-12 shoppers and 45% of college
shoppers had purchased all of their
supplies for back-to-school this year.
Read more.

What’s hot for back-to-school 2012:

Explore this year’s top 10 back-to-school trends

Do strong back-to-school sales signal an economic recovery? Not necessarily

Why "mo-cial" is key to engage this year's back-to-college shopper

3 trends driving online back-to-school shopping in 2012

Want the inside scoop on prepping for back-to-school? Download NRF’s cheat sheet

Historical Data

Year	Back-to-School	Back-to-College
2012	Back-to-school spending grows in 2012 as parents restock, replenish children’s needs	Economy still top of mind for back-to-college shoppers
2011	Back-to-School Sales Expected to be Flat as Parents Practice Restraint	Four out of Five Back-to-College Shoppers Say Economy Impacting Spending
2010	Back to School Sales Up As Parents Replenish Children's Needs	Spending on Back to College Merchandise to Increase Slightly

For more information, visit Historical Spending for Back to School.

2012 By the Numbers...

$83.8 billion
Estimated total combined K-12 and college spending for back-to-school in the U.S.

$688
Average amount parents of K-12 students will spend on back-to-school items.

8 in 10
Number of Americans who said the economy will impact their back-to-school spending.