Historical Spending for Back to School

For the latest information, visit NRF's Back-to-School Headquarters


YearBack-to-SchoolBack-to-College
2011Back-to-School Sales Expected to be Flat as Parents Practice RestraintFour out of Five Back-to-College Shoppers Say Economy Impacting Spending
2010Back to School Sales Up As Parents Replenish Children's NeedsSpending on Back to College Merchandise to Increase Slightly
2009Average Family Has More than Half of Back-to-School Shopping to CompleteFour Out of Five Americans Say Economy Affecting Back-to-College Plans
2008Parents Holding on to Rebate Checks for Back-to-School PurchasesAs Students Adapt to Economy, Back-to-College Spending Drops
2007Back-to-School Spending this Year to Top $18 BillionSpending on Dorm Furnishings, Electronics Drives Back-to-College Sales Past $31 Billion
2006Electronics and Apparel to Fuel Back-to-School SpendingBack to College Spending Hits $24.9 Billion Due to Double-Digit Surge in Electronics Purchase


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