As the 2025 back-to-school season begins, a recent National Retail Federation (NRF) survey reveals that two-thirds of shoppers had already started making purchases by early July. This marks a notable increase from 55 percent at the same time last year. According to NRF, the earlier start is driven by concerns about inflation and the potential impact of tariffs on school-related products.
In a recent analysis, NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen explored these findings, highlighting how economic pressures are influencing consumer behavior. She and NRF Chief Economist Mark Matthews will offer additional insights during a July 23 webinar focused on current spending patterns and retail implications.
Since 2003, NRF has tracked back-to-school shopping habits, offering valuable data to retailers and policymakers alike. This year’s results suggest that families are shopping earlier and more strategically to manage budgets and anticipate rising costs.
Retailers can access NRF’s Back-to-School Headquarters and Data Center for additional insights and tools to navigate the season. For those interested in a deeper dive, registration for the upcoming webinar is now open. Register here.
