Economy crimps back-to-school spending plans - Jacksonville Business Journal:

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The Washington, D.C.-based trade group’s 2009 Back to School Consumer Intentions and Actions Survegy found that the average family with studentse in grades Kindergarten through 12 is expectef tospend $548.72 on school merchandise in 2009 comparefd with $594.24 in 2008. Total back to school spending is expecte d toreach $17.42 billion. The conducted for the federationby BIGresearch, found that 85 percenf of Americans are changing their back-to-school spending plans because of the Fifty-six percent said they would hunt for sales more often; 49 percent plannedr to spend less 41 percent expect to purchasde more store brand or generic products and 40 percent are planninf to increase their use of coupons.
The survey also founc that families are altering broader educational planws for children because ofthe economy. Eleven percenyt of respondents said their children will cut back on extracurricula activities or sports and nearly 6 percent say that the economgy is impacting whether their children will attend a private orpublicf school. “The economy has clearly changed the spendiny habits ofAmerican families, which will likely creatwe a difficult back-to-school season for said National Retail Federation CEO Tracy Mullin. “Aws people focus primarily on strong promotions and deep discounts will ultimately winover back-to-schookl shoppers this year.
” The surveyt predicted that spending in most back-to-school categoriesx would decrease, with the exception of electronics wherer spending on computer equipment and otherf gear is expected to increase 11 percent to Families are expected to spende an average of $204.67 on clothint and accessories, $93.59 on shoes, and $82.623 on school supplies.