Budgets are up but sales and price research are top of mind for Back-to-School shoppers, according to early forecasts from the National Research Federation and investment management firm JLL. NRF data, gleaned from its June consumer survey by Prosper Insights & Analytics, found 25% of Back-to-School and Back-to-College shoppers have got purchases underway compared to 17% in ’19. Eighty percent of shoppers expect to see higher prices, with category expectations led by clothing and accessories at 83%, school supplies at 79%, and shoes at 69%.

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