SC Wisconsin News

Shoppers in north central Wisconsin are beginning their back-to-school and back-to-college purchases earlier this year, according to the annual survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The survey shows that 67% of back-to-school shoppers had already started buying items for the upcoming school year as of early July, compared to 55% last year. This is the highest rate of early shopping since tracking began in 2018.

Chris Talton, Vice President of Donated Goods - Retail Operations at Goodwill North Central Wisconsin (NCW), highlighted how families can manage costs during this season. “With rising prices, families can stay on budget for back-to-school spending by shopping at their local Goodwill NCW store,” said Talton. “Even better, by doing so, they’re supporting job programs for individuals in our community who have a goal of learning new skills themselves. It really is a win-win for everybody.”

Families with students from elementary through high school are expected to spend an average of $858.07 on clothing, shoes, school supplies and electronics this year. Total spending nationwide is projected to reach $39.4 billion, up from $38.8 billion last year.

The survey found that K-12 shoppers plan to spend an average of $295.81 on electronics ($13.6 billion total), $249.36 on clothing and accessories ($11.4 billion total), $169.13 on shoes ($7.8 billion total) and $143.77 on school supplies ($6.6 billion total). For college students and their families, planned spending averages $1,325.85 per person, with top categories including electronics, dorm or apartment furnishings and clothing.

Goodwill NCW offers several tips for saving money while shopping secondhand:

- New donations arrive daily; frequent visits may help shoppers find unique items.

- Shoppers are encouraged to look beyond clothing to other essentials such as backpacks and dorm-room items.

- Items marked with the color tag of the week are available at half price.

- Clearance racks offer additional savings opportunities.

Other recommendations include looking for new items with tags among secondhand goods and joining Goodwill NCW’s “Good Points” loyalty program for rewards on purchases.

Shoppers may also find out-of-season items like winter coats at reduced prices or name brand products such as The North Face or Nike that fit within a budget.

In addition to providing affordable options for families preparing for school, Goodwill NCW reports a positive community impact: last year, individuals served by the organization saw their collective annual income increase by $4.5 million.