Consumers To Spend More on Back-To-School

When it comes to back-to-school spending, consumers say they are feeling better and plan to spend more money and shop in more stores, according to The NPD Group.

A decreasing number of consumers that tell NPD they plan to spend less; 38% of respondents said they plan to spend less this year compared to last year’s 44%, according to the Port Washington, NY-based company’s annual back-to-school spending intentions report.

“We are certainly seeing signs that consumers are willing to open their purse strings,” said chief industry analyst Marshal Cohen. “The fact that more consumers say they plan to spend less coupled with the fact that they say they plan to shop in more stores, 55% of respondents told us they plan to shop in more stores this year compared to last year’s 53%. Those two things point to better results this season.”

Two categories that appear to be getting this biggest lift this season are apparel (58% this year vs. 52% last year) and footwear (45% vs. 39%). But unfortunately beauty products will be accounting for less of the mix, dropping from 13% in 2009 to 11% in 2010, according to NPD.