United States Record Tender

As students gear up to go back to school and college families plan to spend more than ever on supplies ranging from pencils and backpacks to computers and dorm refrigerators according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights and Analytics.Consumers are in a strong position given the nations growing economy and we see this reflected in what they say they will spend on back-to-class items this year NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. Were expecting record spending and retailers are ready to provide students with all the items they need for a successful school year.Families with children in elementary school through high school plan to spend an average 696.70. Thats up from 684.79 last year and tops the previous record of 688.62 set in 2012. With fewer families surveyed saying they have children in grades K-12 spending is expected to total 26.2 billion down from last years 27.5 billion despite the increase in per-household spending.Total spending for K-12 schools and college combined is projected to reach 80.7 billion down from last years 82.8 billion largely because of the decreased number of households with children in elementary through high school.According to the survey clothing and accessories will top K-12 families expenses at an average 239.82 followed by electronics such as computers calculators and phones 203.44 shoes 135.96 and supplies such as notebooks pencils backpacks and lunch boxes 117.49. K-12 families plan to do most of their shopping at department stores 53 percent discount stores 50 percent online 49 percent clothing stores 45 percent and office supply stores 31 percent.Among K-12 shoppers teens are expected to spend an average 36.71 of their own money up from 30.88 10 years ago while pre-teens should spend 26.40 up from 11.94 10 years ago.Members of Generation Z are clearly becoming more involved with back-to-school purchasing decisions rather than leaving the choices up to mom and dad Shay said. Over the years both teens and pre-teens are spending more of their own money on back-to-school items.College shoppers plan to spend the most on electronics 234.69 followed by clothing and accessories 148.54 dorm and apartment furnishings 120.19 and food items 98.72. They plan to do most of their shopping online 45 percent followed by department stores 39 percent discount stores 36 percent college bookstores 32 percent and office supply stores 29 percent.College shoppers are really showing their school spirit when it comes to buying collegiate gear this year Shay said. Spending on college-branded items is expected to average 62.22 up 17 percent from last year.For online purchases 90 percent of K-12 and 85 percent of college shoppers plan to take advantage of free shipping. Back-to-class shoppers still have the bulk of their shopping to do and are waiting to see what the best deals and promotions will be at a variety of different retailers Prosper Insights Executive Vice President of Strategy Phil Rist said. The survey found 89 percent of both K-12 and college shoppers still had half or more of their purchases left to complete. Of those 49 percent were waiting for the best deals for items on their lists.The survey of 7660 consumers was conducted July 1-July 8 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.2 percentage points.