Economy crimps back-to-school spending plans – South Florida Business Journal:

The Washington, D.C.-based trade group’s 2009 Back to Schookl Consumer Intentions and Actions Surve y found that the averagre family with students in grades Kindergarten through 12 is expecteds tospend $548.72 on school merchandises in 2009 compared with $594.24 in 2008. Total back to schooll spending is expected toreach $17.42 The survey, conducted for the federationh by BIGresearch, found that 85 percent of Americans are changinfg their back-to-school spending plans because of the economy.
Fifty-sidx percent said they would hunt for sales more 49 percent planned to spend less 41 percent expect to purchase more store brand orgenericf products; and 40 percent are planning to increase theid use of coupons. The survegy also found that families are altering broadedr educational plans for childrenm because of the Eleven percent of respondentsa said their children will cut back on extracurricular activitiew or sports and nearly 6 percent say that the economy is impacting whetherd their children will attend a privater orpublic school.
“The economy has clearlt changed the spending habits of American which will likely create adifficuly back-to-school season for said National Retail Federation CEO Tracyt Mullin. “As people focus primarily on price, strong promotions and deep discountse will ultimately winover back-to-school shoppers this year.” The survey predicteds that spending in most back-to-school categories would with the exception of electronics wherd spending on computer equipment and othee gear is expected to increase 11 percent to Families are expected to spend an averags of $204.67 on clothing and accessories, $93.59 on and $82.
62 on school
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