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Back-to-school spend will hit $83.6B, claims report

July 21, 2017

A confident consumer base and increasing school enrollment will likely drive back-to-school spending to the second top spending level in history, according to a new National Retail Federation survey.

Total spend for school and college is projected to hit $83.6 billion, representing a 10 percent spike from last year's $75.8 billion, according to a press release.

"Families are now in a state of mind where they feel a lot more confident about the economy," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said in the release. "With stronger employment levels and a continued increase in wages, consumers are spending more and we are optimistic that they will continue to do so throughout the rest of the year. As students head back to the classroom, retailers are prepared to meet their needs whether it's for pencils and paper, shirts and pants or laptops and tablets."

Families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average $687.72 each, for a total of $29.5 billion, an 8 percent increase from last year's $27.3 billion. 

When it comes to where parents will buy, they are shopping across a variety of retailers; 57 percent will shop at department stores, 54 percent at discount stores, 46 percent each at clothing stores and online, and 36 percent at office supply stores. For those shopping online, 91 percent plan to take advantage of free shipping, and 54 percent will buy online and pick up in-store.