As students taste the final dregs of summer before going back to school, there are many families Shopping for supply Earlier this year to overtake the tariff.
More than half of us families who earn less than $ 50,000 per year say they plan only to buy the required school items, while 74% It is said that they are shopping before normal to avoid possible hits from tariffs, According For the National Retail Federation (NRF), a business organization that opposes high import duties.
Many back-to-schools from clothing and shoes to individual electronics are necessary. US Chamber of Commerce Estimate The US tariff rate on such items has increased by an average of 18% this year, more than the triple at the rate of 5% in 2024.
Families with children in kindergarten through 12th grade are estimated to spend an average of $ 858 on clothes, shoes, school supply and electronics this year, NRF found. This is slightly lower than $ 875 in 2024, as inflation has continued this year, although in 2019 faster than $ 697, group data Show.
High value record
Recent figures from St. Louis’s Federal Reserve Bank Show School supply and books cost a record high. recently Analysis It was also found from the Century Foundation that prices for a specific classification of school supply are more than 7% at the price this year, such index cards and binders as well as the stator price hike under goods.
Many of the school supplies have been cut in categories of goods, including writing equipment, notebooks and backpacks from dorm room decor, clothes and personal electronics to staples.
“Consumers are aware of the potential effects of tariffs and inflation on the back-to-school items and inflation on the back-to-school items, and have turned into early shopping, discount stores and summer sales,” NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insight, Catherine Kulene said in a statement, and saving on school mandatory. ”
Although the new US tariff has not given the economy a shock that some forecasts expected, many consumers are worried, shopping expert TRAI Bode told Kelly O’gardi of CBS News.
“All studies that I am seeing are showing that consumers are worried,” Bods said. “We are looking at prices due to tariffs due to inflation. And therefore people are concerned about being able to tolerate things they need for school.”
Consumer Price Index – A closely observed inflation gauge – increased 2.7% on an annual basis in July, slightly cooled compared to economists.
How to save
Large retailers are offering deep discounts on some school supply, in which items such as notebooks, folders, crayons and eraser are sold for less than $ 1.
For large-ticut items, experts urge consumers to compare prices. This includes cross-checking in-store prices against online deals. For example, in a retailer $ 269 Samsung Galaxy Tablet was available for $ 220 on its app. Most retailers will also match the best price on their websites, Bode said.
When it comes to individual electronics, many of which are imported and now are under President Trump’s broad-catering tariffs, Bods urge consumers to consider buying renewed models.
“A lot of retail vendors offer renewed items that also come with a warranty, and this is really a good option if you are looking to save,” he said.
When it comes to products such as pencils and notebooks, buying store-brand on a name-brand also often provides savings. For clothes, experts recommend waiting until the school starts – when the children ask for the trendy, you will have some money left.
Bode said that another way to manage his budget while providing a lesson at the expense is to give a gift card to the teenager. “So they will be very careful in spending their money versus their money. And they will stay on the budget by doing so,” he told CBS News.
