3rd largest consumer spending event of the year //
Ramping up in July and running through Labor Day weekend, Back to School is now nearly a 3-month season of families and students shopping for everything from pencils and three-ring binders, to new shoes, fall clothing, backpacks, electronics, phones, and all the accessories that go with modern digital learning.
Students head back to class any time from late July to after Labor Day, Dates vary considerably by state and region, based on Pew Research Center’s analysis (right) of a sampling of the nation’s 13,000-plus public school districts.
Typical school start dates by region of the U.S.
Consumer Insights
The Back to School season is the third largest annual consumer spending event according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). For total planned spending it comes in after winter holidays (1st) and Back to College (2nd). The following information is from the NRF’s 2024 Back to School survey.
For the fifth year in a row electronics and computer-related equipment are expected to surpass clothing and accessories for the top category by average spend per household. Total planned household spending is expected to be around $875 for 2024. (Learn about spending for college students in our Back to College briefing.)
Timing
According to the NRF’s research, 23% of shoppers begin back-to-college shopping at least 2 months before school starts and 49% begin 3 weeks to 1 month before.
In terms of peaks for the season, RetailMeNot reports for the Back to College and Back to School shopping season the typical top shopping days are:
1. Amazon Prime Day
2. First weekend in August
3. Labor Day weekend
Marketing Resources
To help you pull together your promotional content and marketing materials quickly we’ve curated some resources to inspire your planning.
Back to School Hashtags
Help your content get discovered on social media with relevant hashtags. Popular hashtags include: #backtoschool #backtoschoolsale #backtoschooldeals #schoolshopping #backtoschoolsupplies #schoolsupplies #schoollife #backtoschoolstyle
Back to School Images
Stay top of mind as a resource for the season with Back to School themed imagery. Here is a small selection of the photos we have curated from Unsplash to spark ideas.
Click below to view and download free photos from our full Unsplash Collection. Find out more about their free to use license and how to give the photographer credit, not required, but appreciated.
Back to School Quotes
Acknowledge the dedication of teachers and the power of education with inspiring quotes.
“Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world.” – Malala Yousafzai
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” —Malcolm X
“One day middle school will end and become high school and after that it just becomes life. All those things you think are important now won’t be anymore.”—Diary of a Wimpy Kid
“Work hard, be kind and amazing things will happen.”—Conan O’Brien
The more that you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” —Dr. Seuss
“When you take risks, you learn that there will be times when you succeed and there will be times when you fail, and both are equally important.” —Ellen DeGenere
“Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.” —Oprah Winfrey
“I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.” —Lily Tomlin
“The first day of school is always a fashion show. The rest of the school year? A pajama party.” —Unknown
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