High prices, budgeting and finding deals among back-to-school shopping concerns

Parents sending kids back to school are planning to spend $506 on grade school supplies and $821 for college students on average this year.

High prices are the primary stressor for back-to-school shoppers this season for the second year in a row.

According to a new survey of 1,202 U.S. adult consumers from RetailMeNot, parents sending kids back to school are planning to spend $506 on grade school supplies and $821 for college students on average this year. This year, 41% of shoppers (similar to last year’s 46%) say the cost of supplies is their biggest source of stress. Meanwhile, 40% say they’re stressed about staying on budget, and 39% are stressed about finding the best deals.

Ahead of the upcoming school year, 62% of respondents said they plan to purchase general school supplies, 61% said they plan to purchase clothing and shoes, 50% said they plan to purchase backpacks & bags, and 42% said they plan to purchase health and hygiene products (42%).