The back-to-school and college season is an important time for retailers and families buying a list of needed school supplies. In Aiken, most of that shopping was done earlier this summer, as classes began July 22. Richmond County elementary students report on August 5 followed by middle, high school, and magnet programs beginning the following day. Columbia County schools start August 5. So, there are still a few days left to get those last-minute supplies.
According to a survey from the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights and Analytics, families with children in elementary through high school, plan to spend an average of $874.68 on clothing, shoes, school supplies, and electronics. This is approximately $15 less than last year’s record of $890.07, but is the second-highest amount in the survey’s history. Total back-to-school spending is expected to reach $38.8 billion, also the second-highest figure on record, after last year’s high of $41.5 billion.
“Last year’s watermark was partially driven by record investments in electronics, with 69% of back-to-school shoppers planning to purchase a laptop, tablet, or other electronic device for their student,” Prosper Executive Vice President of Strategy, Phil Rist said. “These are typically items students can use for several years, which may be why we are seeing slightly less interest in electronics this year.”
K-12 shoppers are budgeting $309.35 on average for electronics ($13.7 billion total), $253.29 for clothing and accessories ($11.2 billion total), $141.62 for school supplies ($6.3 billion total), and $170.43 for shoes ($7.6 billion total).
Similar to past years, the most popular destinations for back-to-school shopping are online (57%), department stores (50%), discount stores (47%), clothing stores (42%) and electronics stores (23%).
Augusta University classes begin on August 14, while Augusta Tech and Aiken Tech both start on August 19.
College students and their families are expected to spend an average of $1,364.75 on items for the upcoming school year, in line with last year’s record of $1,366.95. Total back-to-college spending is expected to reach $86.6 billion, the second-highest figure in the history of the survey. Last year, total spending was forecast to hit a record $94 billion.
