Consumers expected to spend more for back-to-school shopping

The countdown to back-to-school is on, and consumers plan to spend record amounts on back-to-school shopping for both school and college-age students.

“We got backpacks, all of their folders, all the extra supplies that they wish for on their list,” Kim Hines said.

Big box stores are already dishing out the discounts for school supplies.

Hines has two daughters going into preschool and second grade this year.

Her family got an early head start on back-to-school shopping about a week ago.

STORY: Clay County School District approves Smart Restart school reopening plan

“You get it done with, you can enjoy your time. You don’t have to stress if you’re going to miss things or things are going to be sold out,” Hines said.

The National Retail Federation said they are seeing record spending this year because students are returning to in-person learning in the fall.

The two categories that saw the biggest increase were clothing and electronics.

“We know that digital tools are becoming more a part of the classroom experience,” Katherine Cullen, senior director of industry and consumer insight with the National Retail Federation, said.

Cullen said families are looking forward to buying first day of school outfits.

The National Retail Federation said that families are estimated to spend around $849 on basic back to school items. That’s about $59 more than last year.

STORY: New Netflix series wraps up filming in St. Simons Island

The average spending this year for elementary school through high school is over 37 billion which is up from 33 billion last year.

After a year of at-home learning, Hines says her daughters are ready to head back to school and in-person learning.

“It’s stressful when they were at home and its nice for her (daughter) because she wanted to go back and see friends so now, she’s going to be happy to be back with other kids her age.

As a reminder, the back-to-school sales tax holiday in Florida begins Saturday, July 31 until Monday, Aug. 9.

©2021 Cox Media Group