Back-to-School Shopping: Costs, Inflation, and Smart Tips

With August just two weeks away, students and parents are putting together their back-to-school shopping lists. Bob Phibbs, CEO of the Retail Doctor in New York, joins Rachel Pierson on the WBBM Noon Business Hour discuss the financial impact of back-to-school shopping and how inflation and modern tech needs are driving up costs. Bob shares insights into the National Retail Federation's statistics, highlighting an average spend of $875, which for some families rivals their holiday budgets.

We explore how teachers are also feeling the pinch, often having to budget for classroom supplies themselves. Bob provides valuable advice for parents looking to find deals and manage expenses, especially during major sales events like Amazon's Prime Day and similar promotions from other retailers like Macy's and Target.

Finally, Bob suggests a collaborative approach to managing these costs by involving extended family members who might be eager to contribute to the students' academic success. Tune in for practical tips and strategies to make back-to-school shopping more manageable.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
August is just two weeks away. Students and parents are putting together their
back-to-school shopping lists.
Let's check in with Bob Fibbs, CEO of the Retail Doctor in New York.
Bob, my husband's a teacher. We're at Target the other day, and I see the back-to-school
section. I said, hey, you need to get anything?
He said, it is too soon. Don't bring that up.

(00:20):
He's obviously avoiding it for other reasons, but I think a lot of parents might
be waiting on it because of worrying about the dent it's going to put on their wallet this year.
Well, yeah, yeah. They're saying that it's, I think it's $875 the National Retail
Federation posted recently.
And for some people, that's as much as their holiday budget.
And on top of that, you know, a lot of teachers don't have the supplies for their classrooms.

(00:45):
So they've got a budget they're trying to make as well.
It's a lot of, I mean, that's the downside for consumers, but as a retailer,
it's a great time. Well, sure.
Here's the thing. How much of this is tied to inflation?
How much of this is just, well, now, you know, you've got to have the latest,
greatest tech for your kid when they're going off to school.
What's contributing to this pretty surprising cost?

(01:08):
Well, you know, that's a great point that they don't break it out.
But the NRF said it was like $253 on average for clothes, $170 for shoes and $300 for electronics.
Well, I don't know about Not you, but 170 for shoes, that could be one pair these days.
And so I don't know as much of inflation as much as, you know,

(01:29):
not saying get off my lawn, kids.
But when I was a kid, you didn't get a chance.
You got the cheapest shoes and get out there, right? Back in my day, we had the TI-83.
That didn't cost $300.
I'm just saying. We'll get off that stump. What advice do you have then for
parents that are looking to get back to school shopping, looking for deals?

(01:52):
Because we know that this is a good opportunity for retailers to maybe put a
little bit of a squeeze on them.
Well, that's a great point, Rachel. And this week, you know,
is Amazon's big prime day that they're doing for two days.
But all of the retailers are jumping in just as much.
So look for Macy's doing a whole thing this week. So is Target.
A lot of other people are going to be finding ways to do it.

(02:14):
And then the other side is, you know, if this is how much some households have
for their holidays, why not ask your, you know, your extended family,
your grandparents and their aunts and aunts, like, you know,
I could use some help here. and they would love to help.
You just got to ask. I think that's a really great point because the people
who are just as happy to get your kid a birthday present are probably equally

(02:35):
excited to help them in their academic endeavors.
Absolutely. And they'd like to see it on them. So, hey, there's all that stuff.
Thanks so much for joining us. Bob Fibbs, he's CEO of The Retail Doctor in New York.