Back-to-college retail will score top marks for spend

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US back-to-college retail spending will reach a new high of $73.9 billion this year, beating last year’s record of $71.0 billion and eclipsing the pre-pandemic figure of $54.5 billion in 2019.

Beyond the chart: Education is still a priority for college students and their families, even amid high inflation. Average spending per household will be roughly the same as it was last year—around $1,200. Electronics and computer-related equipment will see the biggest increase in back-to-college dollars since before the pandemic, with households shelling out nearly 28% more this year than in 2019.

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