U.S. Back-to-School Spending to Drop 6% to $30.4 Billion This Year, Deloitte Survey Shows

According to Deloitte's latest survey of 1,207 K-12 parents, U.S. back-to-school spending this year is expected to decline 6% to $30.4 billion when adjusted for inflation. Average per-student spending is projected at $557, down from $570 last year. The survey reveals growing consumer pessimism, with 57% of respondents expecting economic conditions to worsen over the next six months—the highest level since 2020.

High-income households are leading the pullback, with families earning over $200,000 annually planning to cut spending by 20%. Technology products face the steepest decline, with a projected 16% drop in spending on laptops and smartphones. About one-third of parents have become "hyper value-seekers," maximizing budgets through bulk purchases and switching brands, while roughly 70% plan to participate in summer sales events.