Families Face Rising Costs in Back-to-School Shopping Amid Tight Budgets

As families prepare for the upcoming school year, they are confronted with significant increases in back-to-school shopping costs. According to the Labor Department, school supply prices have surged by 24.5% over the past four years. Deloitte's 2024 back-to-school survey indicates that parents are expected to collectively spend $31.3 billion, averaging $586 per K-12 student—an increase of nearly $60 since 2020. This financial strain is particularly challenging for families already managing tight budgets. Deloitte's report highlights that parents will allocate approximately $20 billion specifically for clothing and school supplies. Interestingly, spending on technology is projected to decline by 11%, likely due to parents having already invested in tech products during the pandemic. Conversely, expenditures on personal hygiene items and educational furniture are anticipated to rise by 22% year-over-year, reflecting shifting priorities in school-related purchases. Parents like Andrea Toch from Arizona express frustration over the escalating costs and increasingly lengthy supply lists from schools. Toch noted that her expenses for supplies alone exceed $220 for her two sons, not including additional necessities like backpacks and clothing. She advocates for public schools to cover essential supplies, emphasizing the underfunding of teachers who are already overworked and underpaid. In response to these challenges, parents are adjusting their shopping strategies, prioritizing value over brand loyalty and starting their purchases earlier. The survey reveals that 66% of back-to-school spending is expected to occur by the end of July, a notable increase from 59% the previous year.