ORLANDO, Fla. – In a recent survey, consumers are said to be more in tune with school-supply inflation and have turned to shopping early, at discount stores, and during summer sales to stock up for the school year.
A survey from the National Retail Federation said 67% of shoppers started checking off their lists as of early July.
Organizations across Central Florida have been hosting school-supply giveaways to help families make the most of their budgets.
Stephanie Byrd-Parrales picked up school supplies Sunday at a giveaway hosted by the Christ Church of Orlando. Her kids are heading into 4th and 6th grade.
“It’s a blessing,” Byrd-Parrales said. “Anything is a blessing nowadays because it is so expensive.”
According to the NRF, shoppers are expected to spend — on average — $295.81 for electronics, $249.36 for clothing and accessories, $169.13 for shoes and $143.77 for school supplies.
“School shopping for clothes, shoes, and in middle school you have to buy the calculator that’s like $80, just for a calculator,” Byrd-Parrales said.
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While the NRF said a majority of people had started their shopping as of early July, Byrd-Parrales told us she started the week after her kids got out of school to make the most of her budget.
“I had to,” Byrd-Parrales said. “When you have so many to buy for and clothes and shoes, and we don’t have it like we’re just able to go out and buy it.”
The NRF said while most are getting a head start, 84% still have at least half of their purchases to make. Forty-seven percent of those who still need to finish their shopping say they’re waiting for the best deals.
“We’re hearing like, ‘Oh, well, they need to buy backpacks,’ so they’re having to fall short in other areas,” Townsend said. “We’re trying to fill in those gaps.”
If you haven’t been able to get to a school-supply giveaway, you still have time to save money with Florida’s Back-to-School tax free holiday which begins Friday, Aug. 1.
News 6 is also working to help teachers with their back-to-school shopping. Click here to purchase much-needed items for teachers this year.