Experts Say Late Start To Back-To-School Shopping Saves Money

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- There has been a lot riding on how much the cash registers would ring during this back to school shopping season.

"All the hopes were that retailers were going to do well -- and they didn't -- especially Target did not do well and a lot of the other discounters did not do well. And you wonder because people have not been spending through 2016, they didn't spend last year, so indications are suggesting that we are not going to have a good year," said Dr. Audrey Guskey with Duquesne University.

But that could mean a great way for you to save lots of money on your kids back to school needs this year.

"You want it to start at the end because all the sales are going to be in September -- and only one percent of families actually wait that long," Dr. Guskey said.

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It used to be that most schools didn't start until after Labor Day, but that has changed. Still if you can wait another couple weeks, your budget could be the big winner.

"There is still plenty of time to go out there. Once the kids are in school, you can see what the trends are, what everybody else is wearing. You can buy things at a fraction of the cost that you would have paid," Dr. Guskey said.

The National Retail Federal Estimate for spending this season is $75.8 billion -- a bump of nearly 10 percent from a year ago. Here's where the money goes.

"One third of the back to school money went to clothes and accessories. One third went to electronics and the rest went to school supplies and shoes," Dr. Guskey said.

It turns out that those who have already graduated from high school are the ones spending the most.

"College students were the ones that were the ones that were the shining star for retailers because as a freshman, you are starting school, you need stuff for the dorm. You need electronics. They are spending upwards of $1,300 per student," Dr. Guskey said.

Retailers hope spending rolls along like the wheels on the school buses -- and that it gets the economy rolling too.