HAMPTON, Va. — Stores in Hampton were packed Sunday as parents and children made last-minute preparations for school to return to school.
Everyone checked the list and tried to grab the school supplies they needed before they ran out.
“Shoes, shirts, backpacks, socks, things that will last,” explained Ezekiel Mitchell, a Hampton High School student.
“Clothes. You’re right, it was a bit hard to find clothes…” [the rest of the list] “It was just a notebook and a pencil, so I don’t think it was anything unusual,” Yorktown parent Aaron Alvarez said.
Luckily, shoppers weren’t too surprised by this year’s price tags…
“I worked mostly through the summer,” Mitchell explained.
But everyone wanted to make smart choices and spend their money.
“All the time,” Alvarez said.
That’s partly because some back-to-school supplies are cheaper than last year, according to monthly retail tracking data from market research firm Circana.
However, costs will continue to increase.
According to the National Retail Federation, consumers spent $41.5 billion on back-to-school shopping last year, or $890 per household, the most on record.
The NRF reported that while higher than normal inflation is subsiding this year, consumers appear to be holding back on spending: The organization still expects total back-to-school spending to reach $38.8 billion this year, or $874.68 per household.
Once supplies are secured, the kids will have some plans for the new school year.
“Just getting my assignments done. I’m going to do better this year. Yeah,” eighth-grader Donovan Alvarez said.
For many in Hampton Roads, school starts on Monday.
