American families spend, on average, $ 670 on preparing a child for school

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Survey conducted National Retail Federation The US (NRF) showed that American families plan to spend, on average, $ 673,57 on preparing each child for the school year at school.

This is almost $ 50 (7%) more than last year, when parents of schoolchildren reportedly tightened their belts. In total, the cost of school supplies, including clothing and electronic devices, could amount to more than $ 27,3 billion.

If we add to them expenditures on preparing students for the academic year in US universities, the figure will increase to $ 75,8 billion in the country, which is almost $ 7 billion more than last year.

Over the past decade, average household spending on school supplies has risen steadily, but a high-spending year is usually followed by a leaner year, as some items can be used for two years.

“The jeans are too tight, the glue is dry, and it’s time to buy a new iPad,” explains Helen Davis, vice president of NRF, about the upcoming surge in demand for school supplies.

At the same time, of course, the demands of students are more extensive and, as a rule, more expensive than those of schoolchildren.

However, parents this year, according to NRF chief economist Jack Kleinhentsa, are ready to save less and spend more.

It is also noted that schoolchildren more often buy iPads and other electronic devices.

“10 years ago, large purchases of equipment were typical for parents of students who had just entered the university. Now we are seeing a bias towards schoolchildren,” says Helen Davis.

In addition, as the survey showed, families plan to start “back to school shopping” early this year, without putting it off until the last minute.

Among other things, there is 10% growth in the purchase of goods for school online, although large chain stores, discounters are still the most popular with parents. They are followed by department stores and clothing stores.

The survey was conducted from the end of June to the beginning of July 2016. It was attended by almost 7 thousand people.