Though college students plan to spend less during the 2008 back-to-school season, families with school-aged children report that they will spend, on average, $594.24 this year, compared with the $563.49 reported last year, the NRF announced. MarketingCharts writes.

Total spending for kids in grades K-12 will reach $20.1 billion, according to NRF estimates.

Additional findings:

• Parents plan to spend more on household electronics like computer and cell phones: $151.61, up from $129.24 last year, but the following categories will have more moderate increases:
  • Clothing - $234.51 vs. $231.80 last year
  • Shoes - $109.75 vs. $108.42
  • School supplies - $98.47 vs. $94.02 last year
  
  • Online shopping is gaining in popularity: 24.8 percent of back-to-school shoppers will buy online, compared with 21.4 percent last year.
  • Parents are not the only ones spending money: Teenagers will put an average of $26.29 of their own money toward back-to-school items this year; preteens will contribute $11.44.
  • Parents are influenced by their children: 54.5 percent say their kids' opinions are important for at least half of all back-to-school purchases.
  • One-fifth of parents nationwide will use part of their stimulus check for back-to-school items.
  • More parents will begin shopping earlier in the season - 46.4 percent say they will start at least three weeks before school starts, as opposed to 45.2 percent who said so in 2007.
  • Discount stores are a favorite destination this year, with 73.0 percent of respondents saying it is where they will go for back-to-school shopping. Other destinations:
    • Department stores - 56.6 percent
    • Clothing stores - 47.8 percent
    • Electronic stores - 21.4 percent
    • Office supply stores - 41.8 percent
    • Drug stores - 18.2 percent