Summer may have just begun, but savvy parents know the back-to-school shopping season starts much earlier than it used to. Retailers are stocking shelves with notebooks, backpacks, school uniforms, and classroom supplies as early as June, and millions of families are already checking items off their shopping lists.
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), about one-third of back-to-school shoppers had already started browsing and buying by early June 2026—the earliest start since the organization began tracking shopping habits in 2018. Younger parents, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, are leading the trend by shopping earlier than previous generations.
If you're shopping for children who wear school uniforms, now is the perfect time to begin planning. Shopping early gives you the best selection of sizes and colors while allowing you to take advantage of summer promotions before popular items sell out.
How Much Will Families Spend in 2026?
Back-to-school shopping is one of the largest annual expenses for many families.
The National Retail Federation estimates that families with children in elementary through high school will spend an average of $874.68 on back-to-school purchases in 2026. That includes everything students need for the upcoming school year, from clothing to electronics.
On average, families plan to spend:
- $309.35 on electronics
- $253.29 on clothing and accessories
- $170.43 on shoes
- $141.62 on school supplies
For many families, these purchases are spread over several weeks rather than completed in a single shopping trip.
Items on the Shopping Lists
Every school has different requirements, but most parents purchase items from several common categories.
School Uniforms and Clothing
If your child's school requires standard student attire, you'll likely be shopping for:
- Khaki pants, shorts, and skirts
- Polo shirts
- Uniform sweaters and fleece jackets
- Belts
- Socks
- School shoes
- PE uniforms
School Supplies
Most elementary and middle school students also need:
- Notebooks
- Folders
- Pencils and pens
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Glue sticks
- Scissors
- Highlighters
- Calculators
- Pencil pouches
Backpacks and Lunch Gear
Many parents replace these items each year, so keep an eye out for the items on your list when they are on sale.
- Backpacks
- Lunch boxes
- Reusable water bottles
- Food containers
- Ice packs
Technology
Technology continues to be one of the biggest expenses during back-to-school shopping. Depending on your student's grade level, your shopping list may include:- Laptops
- Tablets
- Headphones
- Computer accessories
- Chargers
- Calculator
When Do Stores Stock Back-to-School Merchandise?
The back-to-school shopping season now stretches across much of the summer. Retailers begin stocking basic school supplies in June, while school uniform stores introduce new collections and restock popular sizes and colors. Early summer is also when many online retailers launch their first promotions for the season.
By early July, nearly every major retailer has dedicated back-to-school displays, and shoppers can take advantage of major online shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, along with competing sales from Target, Walmart, Staples, and other retailers. These promotions often feature some of the best prices of the year on electronics, backpacks, and school supplies. As late July arrives, most schools have published supply lists, sales become more frequent, and many states begin their annual back-to-school sales tax holidays.
In early August, retailers ramp up promotions on clothing, school uniforms, shoes, and classroom essentials as families complete their shopping. By late August, shoppers can often find clearance prices on seasonal merchandise, although the most popular backpack styles, uniform sizes, and school supply items may already be sold out.
When Are the Best Deals?
One of the biggest questions parents face each summer is whether to start shopping early or hold out for better deals. The answer depends on what you're buying.
If your child wears school uniforms, it's usually best to shop early. Popular sizes of khaki pants, polo shirts, skirts, sweaters, and other uniform basics can sell out weeks before school starts. The same is true for popular backpack brands, name-brand sneakers, laptops, and lunch gear. Shopping in June or early July gives you the widest selection and helps avoid the frustration of finding your child's size out of stock.
On the other hand, if you're shopping for general school supplies, classroom basics, or electronics, waiting until the major sales in July can often pay off. Retailers compete aggressively during events like Amazon Prime Day and other mid-summer promotions, frequently offering some of the year's lowest prices on notebooks, pencils, calculators, headphones, backpacks, and other school essentials. Many stores also match competitors' prices or offer additional coupons, making July one of the best times to stock up.
For many families, the smartest strategy is to combine both approaches: purchase uniforms and other high-demand items early, then watch for July promotions and your state's sales tax holiday to save on school supplies, electronics, and the remaining items on your back-to-school shopping list. Check out the calendar for the list of back to school sales tax holidays.
Smart Shopping Tips
A little planning can help your budget go further.
- Start shopping as soon as your school supply list is available.
- Compare prices across multiple retailers.
- Sign up for retailer email lists to receive exclusive coupons.
- Join store rewards programs.
- Watch for free shipping promotions.
- Shop your state's sales tax holiday if available.
- Purchase uniforms before popular sizes sell out.
- Stock up on basic supplies when prices are lowest.
The Bottom Line
Back-to-school shopping has become a months-long season instead of a last-minute rush. By starting early, watching for July sales, and taking advantage of tax-free weekends, families can save money while avoiding the stress of empty shelves and limited inventory.
At The School Uniform Insider, I'll be sharing the latest coupon codes, retailer promotions, school uniform sales, and back-to-school shopping tips throughout the season to help your family get everything on the school list without overspending. Subscribe to receive email updates from The School Uniform Insider.
Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash
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