10 must-know facts about the 2013 back to school shopping season

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10 Must-Know Facts About the 2013 Back to School Shopping Season

Online Sales Are Up According to the NPD Group, online sales for back-to-school items will increase 4% year over year.

Source: The NPD Group, July 2013

Up for GrabsTotal back-to-school spending will reach $72.5 billion, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey.Source: National Retail Federation (NRF), July 2013

More Spent on CollegeThe NRF found that college students and parents will spend $836.83 on average, while families with K-12 children will spend $634.78.Source: National Retail Federation (NRF), July 2013

MotivationsThe top three reasons for back-to-school purchases this year are replacements, required for school, and because the child wanted it.Source: The NPD Group, July 2013

Parents Are Looking For Deals47% of parents listed price as the most important influence on their back-to-school purchases. 48% plan to shop during sales.Source: Kiplinger, July 2013

Tax Free!Sixteen states are offering sales tax holidays on select back-to-school product types this August.

Source: Kiplinger, July 2013

Many Parents Will Spend More25% of parents plan to spend more than they did last year and more than half of parents will spend the same amount on school supplies.Source: Marketwatch, July 2013

Top Selling Items1. Apparel 2. Footwear3. Calculators

4. Apparel Accessories 5. School Bags 6. Sports Equipment

Source: The NPD Group, July 2013

Shopping Dates Will FluctuateYear-over-year shopping will come in at 5% less than last year by Aug. 1, but take a 5% year-over-year increase by Sept. 1.Source: The NPD Group, July 2013

Expect Tardy ShoppersMore parents will begin their back-to-school shopping later in the year (the first day of school, in most cases, is the day after Labor Day, Sept. 2).Source: National Retail Federation (NRF), July 2013

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