The National Retail Federation forecasts families will spend $43.3 billion for kindergarten through 12th grade students and $103.5 billion for college students, bringing total back-to-school spending to $146.8 billion, compared with $128.2 billion for the 2025 season. Gen Z and Millennials saw a bigger jump in back-to-school shopping by early June than other age groups. That lingering price sensitivity is reshaping how families plan purchases rather than how much they ultimately spend. What families plan to buyFamilies with students in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $863.86 on items this year, up slightly from $858.07 in 2025. K-12 shoppers plan to spend an average of $293.11 on electronics, totaling $14.7 billion, followed by $250.29 on clothing and accessories, totaling $12.5 billion.