Research from Snipp suggests back-to-school spending is likely to rise, but consumers will make adjustments as to where, what and how they purchase in response to rising costs, economic uncertainty and inflation.
The economic pressure has prompted many consumers to change how they approach BTS shopping, the digital marketing and loyalty platform maintained. As they get ready for the upcoming school year, 41.8% of consumers responding to a survey said they are shopping at discount retailers to hold down spending, while 40.1% said they’re purchasing lower-cost brands, and 38.8% said they’re comparing prices more carefully.
Others are shopping earlier, waiting for promotions, reusing items or delaying purchases, the survey revealed. As BTS season got underway, 77.9% of respondents said they were shopping early because of concerns about prices rising later in the season,
In the survey, 74.8% of consumers responding said they expect their back-to-school spending to increase versus 2025, including 33.9% who expect outlays to increase significantly. Still, affordability remains a major concern, with 52.6% of respondents saying they are either extremely or very concerned about the cost of back-to-school shopping. Another 29.2% reported being somewhat concerned.
BTS shoppers are actively searching for savings opportunities, Snipp asserted, with 74% saying they have put more effort into finding deals, discounts, cashback offers, promotions and rewards than they did last year. Just 11% of respondents said they prioritize trusted brands or higher-quality products over price. The overwhelming majority said they choose lower-priced options, switched brands for better deals or actively sought promotions and rewards.
In weighing loyalty and value, 71.3% of respondents said that BTS shopping is becoming more about finding value than remaining loyal to specific brands or retailers. Then, 80.6% said they would likely switch from their preferred brand if a competitor offered a meaningful discount, cashback offer or rebate.
The shifting approach is not due to spending reluctance, the survey results indicated, but to consumers looking for ways to stretch their budgets further. In response to a question about what is having the biggest effect on their back-to-school spending plans, Snipp noted, 75.7% cited inflation and rising prices, 58% cited grocery costs, and 54.1% cited fuel and transportation costs.
