Parents will spend an average $483.28 on back-to-school shopping for each child, up 7% from 2003, reports the National Retail Federation.
Total back-to-school spending for kindergarten through 12th grade is expected to reach $14.79 billion in the U.S.
The biggest portion will be spent on clothes (an average $219.46), followed by electronics and computer equipment ($101.03, up 15%), shoes ($89.72) and school supplies ($73.06).
Most (76%) will shop in discount stores; 42% will shop department stores; 35% in office-supply stores; 18% in specialty stores; 15% in drugstores; and 14% online.
Teens and pre-teens are expected to spend a total $884 million of their own money. Teens who spend their own money will spend an average of $84.58; six- to 12-year-olds who spend their own money will spend an average $40.48, per Washington, DC-based NRF.
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