Back to School News

NRF/BIGinsight survey finds consumers will spend more on school and college as consumers replenish children's needs and more children enter school.

According to NRF’s 2011 Back-to-School survey conducted by BIGresearch, the average family has completed 43.0 percent of shopping for K-12 students, similar to last year’s 43.2 percent. College students and their parents have completed 44.3 percent of their shopping, up slightly from last year’s 43.1 percent

According to NRF’s 2011 Back-to-School and College surveys conducted by BIGresearch, consumers with smartphones and tablets will use their devices to research products, redeem coupons, look up store information, and even make purchases.

According to NRF’s 2011 Back-to-School survey conducted by BIGresearch, families with children in grades K-12 will spend an average of $603.63 on apparel, school supplies and electronics, within a few dollars of last year’s $606.40 average. Total spending on grades K-12 is expected to reach $22.8 billion.*

According to NRF’s latest Back-to-School/College Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, the average family has completed 43.2 percent of their school shopping, compared to 41.6 percent at this time last year.

NRF's 2010 Back to School survey found that the average American family will spend $606.40 on clothes, shoes, supplies and electronics, compared to $548.72 last year, and close to the $594.24 in 2008.