Because of higher gas and food price concerns, 71 percent of respondents in a new Deloitte survey said they plan to spend less on back-to-school items this year. Almost half (48 percent) plan to reduce their household spending by more than $100. In addition, consumers will change where and how they shop.
According to a national study of US mothers by the Marketing to Moms Coalition, though, back-to-school spending in 2008 will be modestly higher than last year, with an 8% increase over last year's spending levels, at $484, compared with $449.
While consumers will continue to buy supplies, such as paper, pencils and notebooks (95 percent), clothes (92 percent), shoes (86 percent) and backpacks/book bags (68 percent), many indicated that they intend to cut back on these purchases. Notably, more than eight in 10 said they will spend less on clothes, while 48 percent said they will spend less on shoes and 30 percent said they will spend less on backpacks/book bags. Almost one-third (29 percent) said they will spend less on supplies.
The vast majority of consumers (88 percent) will do their back-to-school shopping this year at discount/value department stores. Almost four in 10 (37 percent) will shop at dollar stores, and almost one-third (32 percent) will shop at office supply/computer stores.
Source: Center for Media Research
http://www.mediapost.com/blogs/research_brief/?p=1776
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