SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Parents rushing to finish back-to-school shopping say they are running into two challenges this year: finding the supplies their children need and paying higher prices once they do.
Several families shopping for last-minute school items this week said basics such as glue sticks, composition books and other classroom supplies are already disappearing from shelves.
Clarie Bowles, who is headed to first grade, was excited to show off her new backpack, complete with a removable lunchbox.
“I am looking forward to see what time I’m going to go to the playground,” she said.
Her parents said the shopping experience has been less carefree.
“That’s basically what it’s been,” Claire’s Mom said of shelves being wiped out. “We’re going to try to go hunt for the other stuff because you can’t find everything.”
For other families, the bigger concern is cost.
Back-to-school shopping is expected to reach a record high this year. Families are projected to spend more than $43 billion on school supplies, according to a recent survey from the National Retail Federation.
Savannah Hartman, a mother of two seventh graders, said her family is spending more this year than last year.
“I graduated almost 20 years ago, but it was like pencil on a paper and a folder,” Hartman said. “And now everything is digital and extra, and it’s been a lot of an undertaking.”
Hartman said the cost of school supplies alone was about $300 for her two children.
“That was with no wish list items. No extra stuff — just the necessities,” she said. “So when you add in two kids and their clothes, it’s about $700 to get them started back to school. That’s crazy.”
As costs add up, some parents said they are looking for ways to stretch their budgets. That includes taking advantage of back-to-school giveaways, reusing supplies from last year and shopping online to compare prices.
For families still working through school supply lists, online shopping may also help avoid the hassle of driving from store to store in search of items that are already selling out.