Back-to-School Shopping: The Biggest Trends of 2025
Written by
T. Woods
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
It’s August once again, and with it comes that yearly ritual for parents and children alike: back-to-school shopping. With the new school year right around the corner, it’s time to stock up on school supplies and new clothes while also staying aware of the technological and fashion trends to keep your kid on the cutting edge, scholastically and socially.
Before you hit the mall, your local Target or an office supply store, here are some of the biggest back-to-school shopping trends of 2025.
Frozen Prices
Overall back-to-school spending is projected to be approximately $30.9 billion compared with the $31.3 billion spent in 2024, according to the 2025 Deloitte Back-to-School Survey.
As a result — and because they stockpiled inventory to avoid a wave of high incoming tariffs — retailers have been freezing prices as a means of protecting consumers and encouraging them to spend. For example, both Dollar General and Target stores announced they would be locking prices at 2024 levels for their “core” back-to-school items, per the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Buying American
Speaking of tariffs, the 2025 Deloitte Back-to-School Survey indicated that approximately half of all school supply shoppers (48%) were intending to buy made-in-America products as much as they could this year as a means to avoid the potential price hikes that come with purchasing tariff-heavy imported goods.
Artificial Intelligence Will Be Shopping Too
An interesting trend this season? The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in shopping for school supplies. PwC’s back-to-school survey noted that 1 out of every 5 shoppers planned to use AI tools to source the best online deals for their supplies.
Retailers are responding in kind. Walmart, for example, has been testing out an AI personal shopping assistant for online use to help its customers discover deals and products more easily.
Online Shopping Decreases
Despite those AI advances to help shoppers, a Zeta Global survey found that online shopping has decreased since last year. A breakdown in shopping trends revealed the following:
- Big-box stores led the retail way, with 26% of shoppers planning to make their purchases at places like Walmart and Target.
- Department store shopping increased from 2024, netting 21% of shoppers in 2025.
- Online retailers dropped to 18%, down from 2024.
- Local retailers maintained at 18%, the same number as last year.
- Other/none of the above held at 17% from 2024.
Thrifting Is on the Rise
The Deloitte survey also noted that 21% of respondents would be hitting thrift stores for at least some of their back-to-school shopping. That’s up slightly from 20% in 2024.
Accessories, Accessories, Accessories
The current craze over the Labubu (plush monster elves that can hook to a purse or backpack) and Jellycats (plush animal dolls) has spread to the back-to-school shopping season too. Fox 5 Washington, D.C., noted that kids are keeping their backpacks stylish with the strange furry figures.
According to NPR, Labubu blind boxes cost $27.99, but resale prices are much higher.
More From GOBankingRates
