Reports: BTS shopping will be strong

In just a couple of weeks moms and dads across the US will begin back to school shopping for their K-12 and college aged kids. New jeans and backpacks, computers and mobile devices as well as paper notebooks and pens will hit shopping carts, and according to two new forecasts retailers will make some bank.

by Kristina Knight

While the back to school shopping season probably won't have any record setting spending days, the overall season will have a strong showing. That's the takeaway from new HookLogic data which shows about one-third of the families of both K-12 students (30.3%) and college students (27.1%) will spend more on everything from apparel to electronics in 2015 than they did in 2014. Just over half of these families (63.9%, K-12 and 58.3%, college) will spend the same as they did in 2014.

HookLogic's experts say the total BTS spend will push past the $56 billion mark, an increase of about 14% YoY.

Meanwhile the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) is forecasting that most BTS shopping will continue to happen in stores (83%), despite consumers comfort with mobile shopping. But, those who do order online and then pick up in store will likely purchase additional items during the pick-up. Other interesting findings from the ICSC include:

• Of those using mobile devices in store 44% will compare prices and 28% will look for mobile coupons
• Of those buying in store 42% say they do so because they 'like to look over' items prior to purchase
• 77% say they'll shop discount retailers, 88% will hit malls or open-air centers
• 53% say they'll shop for school in August

"Retailers are enjoying a strong start to the BTS shopping season after a sluggish first quarter of 2015," said Jesse Tron, spokesman for ICSC. "While typically viewed as an essential expenditure, BTS shopping also highlights many of the trends occurring in the shopping center industry. As physical spaces merge with digital to further enhance the omnichannel experience, consumers are shopping in physical stores, participating in webrooming and using mobile technology at shopping centers. It's good news as we progress into the all-important latter half of the retail calendar."

Image via Shutterstock

Tags: advertising, back to school shopping, BTS shopping trends, ecommerce, HookLogic, International Council of Shopping Centers