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Parents Rush Back-to-School Shopping Ahead of August Tariff Deadline

Two-thirds of parents have begun their purchases to avoid impending 10 percent duties, prompting chains like Target to hold prices on key items until existing inventory runs out.

School supplies, pens and markers on display at a Walmart in Denver, North Carolina, on July 8.
School teacher Liza Gleason shops for back to school supplies at a Target store August 13, 2008 in Daly City, California.
People are shopping for back-to-school supplies earlier than ever, according to the National Retail Federation. Two-thirds of families started by early July, up from 55% a year ago and the highest by far in tracking that goes back to 2018. (MCCLATCHEY-TRIBUNE/FILE)

Overview

  • The August 1 tariff rollout will impose a 10 percent levy on most imports after a 90-day pause.
  • Average planned spending per child is $858, down from $875 a year ago.
  • Thirty-nine percent of parents report they cannot afford supplies and 44 percent plan to incur debt to cover costs.
  • Target and other major retailers are maintaining or reducing prices on core back-to-school essentials using pre-tariff inventory.
  • Economists warn that once existing stock is depleted, consumers will face higher prices driven by the new duties.