NPD Goes Back to School
The Back-to-School shopping season is starting a little later this year, according to Port Washington, N.Y.–based research firm The NPD Group Inc., which recently released its 2007 Back-to-School survey. According to the survey, only 18 percent of consumers shopping for Back-to-School merchandise began their shopping before Aug. 1. Last year, 30 percent of Back-to-School shoppers kicked off the season before August. Consumers are also spending a little less this year. The report found that consumers plan to spend $500 or less, which represents a 5 percent decrease from last year. School supplies top consumers’ shopping lists, followed by clothes, shoes and electronics.
