As Texas families prepare for another school year, back-to-school shopping has become one of the largest annual retail events in the United States, with parents spending hundreds of dollars per child on clothing, electronics, shoes, backpacks, and classroom supplies.
National Retail Federation (NRF) data shows families with children in kindergarten through 12th grade are expected to spend an average of $863.86 per student this year, with total K-12 back-to-school spending projected to reach a record $43.3 billion nationwide.
For many parents, the annual shopping trip has evolved beyond pencils and notebooks. Clothing, technology, and school supplies now compete for space in family budgets as parents decide what must be purchased immediately, what can wait, and what can be reused from previous years.
What Are Families Spending the Most Money On?
According to the NRF’s annual back-to-school survey, electronics are the largest planned expense category for K-12 families, followed by clothing, shoes, and traditional school supplies.
The average planned spending breakdown for K-12 students includes:
- Electronics: $293.11 per student
- Clothing and accessories: $250.29 per student
- Shoes: $174.01 per student
- School supplies: $146.45 per student
The shift toward technology reflects the growing role of digital tools in education. Many students now require or use laptops, tablets, calculators, headphones, and other electronic devices for classroom assignments.
Are Parents Buying New Clothes or Reusing What They Have?
While school supplies remain a traditional back-to-school purchase, clothing continues to represent a major portion of family spending.
A 2026 survey from Deloitte found parents are increasing spending on clothing and accessories as they replace worn items and allow for selective purchases, while many families are delaying technology upgrades when possible.
The trend suggests many families are not necessarily replacing every item each year. Instead, parents are prioritizing purchases based on need—replacing shoes that no longer fit, buying new clothes after growth spurts, and reusing backpacks or supplies when they remain in good condition.
Families Are Shopping Earlier and Looking for Deals
Back-to-school shopping is also starting earlier than in previous years.
The National Retail Federation reported that 62% of shoppers had already started purchasing school items by early July, as families look for promotions and attempt to spread expenses over several weeks rather than making one large purchase.
Among shoppers who had not yet completed their purchases, many said they were waiting for better deals, determining what items were still needed, or spreading their budgets over time.
The Texas Families Can Save During Sales Tax Holiday
Texas parents will have an opportunity to save on qualifying purchases during the state’s annual sales tax holiday. According to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the 2026 sales tax holiday runs from Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 9. During that period, qualifying clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks priced under $100 can be purchased without state and local sales tax. The exemption applies to eligible purchases made in Texas stores as well as qualifying online and catalog purchases from Texas businesses. The Comptroller’s office provides a complete list of qualifying and nonqualifying items before the shopping weekend. For previous generations of students, back-to-school shopping often centered around notebooks, pencils, folders, and new clothes for the first day of school. Today, families are navigating a broader list that may include laptops, software subscriptions, chargers, headphones, athletic equipment, and other classroom technology. The National Retail Federation’s data shows that while school supplies remain part of the annual routine, technology has become the largest individual spending category for many families. At the same time, surveys indicate parents are becoming more strategic shoppers—prioritizing essentials, comparing prices, and delaying nonessential purchases when possible. The start of the school year remains a major expense for American households, but families are approaching the season differently. Some parents are replacing worn clothing and outdated technology, while others are reusing items from previous years and focusing only on required supplies. With record national spending projected and Texas’ tax-free weekend approaching, retailers and families are preparing for one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.
The Back-to-School Shopping List Looks Different Than It Did a Generation Ago
Back-to-School Spending Reflects a Changing Family Budget
Provided by Dallas Express
