Parents Predict Kids Will Learn at Home in Fall. They Plan to Buy Them Laptops

Back-to-school spending may exceed records, reported the National Retail Federation Wednesday. Students and their families anticipate buying more laptops and computer accessories “in anticipation that at least some classes will take place online” due to COVID-19, it said. NRF canvassed 7,500 consumers in early July, finding parents with kids in elementary through high school plan to spend $789.49 on average, topping the previous record of $696.70 last year. College students and their families expect to spend $1,059.20 on average, which would top last year’s record of $976.78. NRF projects total back-to-school spending to reach $101.6 billion, topping the $100 billion mark for the first time. Slightly more than half of respondents said they expect their kids will take at least some of their classes at home this fall. Of those, 36% expect to buy laptops, 22% computer speakers or headphones, 21% other accessories and 17% printers.