School Supply Prices Up Almost Six Percent
By: Cierra Putman
Updated: September 3, 2012
This Labor Day is bringing some back to school sales for local families. They say It's a good thing since the price to equip children for the classroom keeps going up.
The price of back to school supplies is up by nearly 6 percent - according to Huntington Bank's annual Backpack Index.
Many parents say they're definitely seeing the price hike. A survey from the National Retail Federation shows families plan to spend about $688 on back to school clothes, shoes and supplies. That's up a whopping $85. More parents are also buying investing in electronics for their grade school children this school year.
Local parents we spoke to say they do their best to help keep back to school costs down.
"Instead of just going to one place we shop around," Mother of 5 Dorina Hayes said. "We shop on the internet a lot too, catalogs when they come in. You look for the best sale prices."
Huntington Bank says it's not just pens, notebooks and electronics that are going up in price. Parents with kids in band and orchestra may see rising instrument rental costs.
Total back to school spending is expected to reach $30 billion in the US. The Federation says after the winter holidays, this one of the busiest shopping seasons.
