It’s hard to believe summer is almost over and a new school year is about to start! Where does the time go?! As much as my family loves summertime, the start of a new school year is always a welcome change. It’s nice to get back into a regular routine.
Back-to-school shopping is one of my favorite parts of the season. Fresh pens, new notebooks, and brightly-colored supplies signal a fresh start, and I can’t help but stock up on new office supplies for myself, too!
Of course, all those new supplies can add up. For many families, keeping an eye on the shopping budget will be just as important as checking everything off the school supply list.
So, what will shopping look like for the 2026-27 school year? Let’s take a look at how much families expect to spend, how this year compares with previous years, and where shoppers are heading to find what they need.
đź’° How much are families spending?
Back-to-school shopping can put a big dent in the family budget. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), families with kids in elementary through high school expect to spend an average of $863.86 per household on back-to-school purchases this year.
Where is all that money going? It’s not surprising to me that electronics are the biggest category for back-to-school spending, with the average household spending $293.11. Clothing and accessories, shoes, and other school supply purchases also add up quickly.
Another survey from Deloitte shares a different look at family spending. Their survey measures spending per child instead of per household, and it estimates parents will spend an average of $557 per child this school year.
Overall back-to-school spending is expected to reach a record $43.3 billion this year, according to NRF. That’s an increase from $39.4 billion in 2025 and $38.8 billion in 2024, and tops the previous record of $41.5 billion in 2023.
đź“š How are families shopping?
When it comes to choosing where to shop, families have plenty of options. According to Deloitte, 80% of parents plan to shop at mass merchants this year. Online retailers, warehouse clubs, department stores, and dollar stores are also in the mix, with parents expecting to shop across an average of four different types of retailers.
While online shopping remains popular, more families may be heading to brick-and-mortar stores this year. According to the National Retail Federation, 50% of back-to-school shoppers plan to shop online, down from 55% last year.
Families are also getting an early start and timing purchases around sales. NRF found that 62% of back-to-school shoppers had already started shopping by early July, and more than half took advantage of major summer promotional events to buy school-related items. Among shoppers who still had items to buy, 46% said they were waiting for the best deals.
Spreading out purchases can also help families manage back-to-school budgets. According to NRF, nearly half of shoppers plan to buy only what their students need to start the school year and then purchase additional supplies as needed.
✏️ Panel Member Reminders
Whether you’re shopping early, waiting for the best sales, or buying just the essentials to start the year, there are plenty of ways to tackle back-to-school shopping. How are you managing back-to-school shopping this year? Are you spending more or less than last year? Have you changed where or when you shop? Let me know in the comments!
And, as you check items off those back-to-school lists, don’t forget to scan and report your purchases to NCP. From notebooks, pens, and backpacks to new clothes, shoes, electronics, and other school essentials, reporting your purchases helps us capture a more complete picture of what households are buying this back-to-school season. Happy shopping—and best wishes for a great school year!
Regards,
Taylor
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