Overview
- National surveys show combined back-to-school spending reached record highs for 2026 with K-12 at $43.3 billion and college at $103.5 billion.
- Electronics are the single largest planned expense, averaging about $293 per K-12 student and $342 per college student, reflecting growing classroom tech needs.
- Surveys report many shoppers expect higher prices and are adjusting by comparing stores, using coupons, buying at discount retailers, reusing items, or delaying nonessential purchases.
- Retail timing matters: a majority of shoppers had started buying school items by early summer but only about half used major June sales events specifically for school purchases, so families are watching for remaining promotions.
- Rising supply costs tied to higher shipping and import expenses plus cuts to food assistance are increasing strain, which is driving greater use of credit and buy-now-pay-later options and keeping short-term policy measures and retailer deals central to relief