FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2025
Contact: Adele R. Meyer, Executive Director
800-544-0751 or adele@narts.org
Back to School... Shop Resale for A+ Savings
St. Clair Shores, MI — The back to school shopping season is the second largest consumer spending time of the year after the winter holidays. Parents with growing children need to replace and replenish what their children had from the last school season.
As of early July, more than two-thirds (67%) of back-to-school and college shoppers have already begun buying items for the upcoming school year, according to the Annual Survey released by the National Retail Federation with Prosper Insights & Analytics. The early start is up from 55% last year and is the highest since NRF started tracking early shopping in 2018. Additionally, half (51%) of back-to-school families are shopping earlier this year compared to last year specifically out of concern that prices will rise due to tariffs.
While shopping is well underway, most (84%) of consumers still have at least half of their purchases left to complete. The top reasons consumers still have shopping to do are because they are waiting for the best deals (47%) or they don’t know what is needed yet (39%). Similar to last year, 82% of back-to-class shoppers say they will take advantage of Prime Day and other retailer sales in July to buy classroom staples and other school necessities.
Families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $858.70 on clothing, shoes, school supplies and electronics, down from $874.68 in 2024. Despite families budgeting less this year, slightly more consumers are purchasing apparel and electronics, driving expected total spending to $39.4 billion, up from $38.8 billion last year.
K-12 shoppers are budgeting $295.81 on average for electronics ($13.6 billion total), $249.36 for clothing and accessories ($11.4 billion total), $169.13 for shoes ($7.8 billion total) and $143.77 for school supplies ($6.6 billion total).
College students and their families are planning to spend an average of $1,325.85, down from $1,364.75 in 2024. Although per person spending has decreased, on average, more consumers are shopping across almost every category, bringing expected total back-to-college spending to $88.8 billion, up from $86.6 billion last year.
The top five categories for college spending include $309.50 on average for electronics ($20.7 billion total), $191.39 for dorm or apartment furnishings ($12.8 billion total), $166.07 on clothing and accessories ($11.1 billion total), $140.24 on food ($9.4 billion total) and $117.95 on personal care items ($7.9 billion total).
“This increase can largely be attributed to higher income households, while lower income households are pulling back across categories because of economic uncertainty,” Prosper Executive Vice President of Strategy Phil Rist said. “Regardless of income, families want to ensure their students are set up for success. They are cutting back in other areas, using buy now, pay later or buying used or refurbished items to have everything they need for the school year.”
Back to school shopping is big business for merchants, but it does NOT have to break the bank account. From Kindergarten to College... students can be outfitted at resale stores for a fraction of the original price. Parents who understand value do not let back-to-school shopping sabotage their budget. Resale shops are a great source for clothing. They stock good quality, current style apparel at great prices—especially appreciated since children outgrow their clothes so quickly.
Send your kids back to school in style by shopping smart... which means shopping resale! Here are a few tips on how to shop sensibly:
• Make a list before you go shopping. It will keep you on track and save you from impulse buying.
• Do an inventory of what you have so you can build on it by looking for coordinating pieces.
• This is also a good time to recycle clothing your child has outgrown by selling or consigning it at your favorite resale shop, giving you cash to spend on this year's clothes.
• Involve your children in the back-to-school budget and teach them to comparison shop. Help them identify their "wants and needs" then ask which items they consider "essential." Show them how they can do their part in recycling by giving clothes a second life.
• Play stylist with your children... trying to create as many looks as possible with a few pieces. Many outfit combinations can be created by layering.
• Get started early and visit your favorite resale shops often as new things come in every day.
• Shop during the state sales tax holiday—if your state has one. In some state's, the tax holiday coincides with back to school shopping time.
• You do not have to buy everything at once. A few new outfits will get your children started and gives them time to access the trends. You can add during the year as you discover great new bargains at your favorite resale shop.
• Shop at resale stores for clothes and accessories. Remember... always look for the NARTS decal. It is Your Assurance of Resale Professionalism.
It is not unusual to see price tags of $100 or more on an outfit at a department store. Why spend $100 when you can spend $25 or less for the same or higher quality goods?” asks Adele Meyer, NARTS Executive Director. “Resale offers a practical way to outfit your children while watching those savings add up.”
Clothes are only the beginning of the back to school shopping list. Other things you can save money on by shopping resale include computers/electronics, musical instruments, dance wear and sports equipment for extra curricular activities.
Trendy teens have embraced resale shopping in a big way! They are trying to save money... and help the environment. Whether they are looking for name brands in good condition or the popular vintage accessories, there is a resale shop to meet their taste. Teens are savvy shoppers who realize the importance of value and quality. A lot of young people these days want to take something unique and make it their own style, so resale shops can really cater to them.
Dorm decorating has taken on a new life as college students become very ingenious at making use of their dorm room space. They have an eye for getting the most out of their limited space, while creating a place to call home. The basic and necessary items for dorm rooms include stackable crates, boxes and baskets, which provide storage that is visually appealing.
College students and their parents, who are already spending thousands on increased tuition/housing, will be looking for more ways to stretch their budgets this year. Equipping a college student does not have to be a wallet-draining ordeal. Resale stores specializing in furniture, decor, small appliances, bedding and accessories are brimming with treasures to furnish dorm rooms on an affordable budget. Here are a few tips to make dorm decorating personal:
• Look around and shop early. Keep an eye out for deals the summer before heading to school.
• Use floor to ceiling storage—make all the space usable.
• Don't be afraid to try something different than everyone else is doing.
• Make your room comfortable—it is where you will be living for nine months.
• Distinguish a study area from the living space by using a bed or curtains as a visual divider.
• Make sure nothing is permanent. Then, you can rearrange as the spirit moves you.
• Shop at resale stores for furniture and accessories. Paint or refurbish your bargains with fabric if necessary.
Look for the NARTS Decal
It is Your Assurance of Resale Professionalism.
Brand new or barely used? Retail or resale?
Full price or a fraction of the original cost?
Only the savvy resale shopper knows for sure!
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NARTS, the world’s largest resale trade association, is dedicated to continuing education within the resale industry. The Association serves resale shops of all types by providing educational and professional development for future owners and current store owners/managers. Please visit the NARTS Website at: www.narts.org for more information.
