Overview

• Surveys forecast average per-child back-to-school outlays of $570 in 2025, matching last year and totaling $30.9 billion in U.S. sales.
• Eighty-three percent of parents say their household finances are similar or worse than a year ago, with more than half planning to cut spending on dining out and recreation.
• Value-driven tactics such as shopping early, trading down brands, using cashback sites and opting for standard shipping have gained widespread adoption.
• Lower-income families expect to spend more under higher prices, while higher-income households plan to trim back-to-school budgets by 7 percent to 9 percent.
• Spending on clothing and accessories is projected to rise 6 percent for first-day outfits, even as technology and school supplies budgets contract.