Aussies to spend $2.7 billion as students head Back to School
As students gear up to return to their classrooms, Australia’s Back to School (BTS) purchases are projected to generate around $2.7 billion in sales. The projected spend is up $150 million (5.9%) over last year’s BTS spending, driven by population growth and inflation.
Research by the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), in partnership with Roy Morgan, reveals 5.1 million (24% of Australians aged 18+) will spend an average of $525 each on BTS related merchandise. This is up from an average of $512 in 2024.
Of those surveyed, 44% of Australians making BTS purchases said they would be spending more than last year, while 23% said they would spend the same and 33% said
they would be spending less.
The key findings of the ARA-Roy Morgan Research include:
- Of those participating in the sales, 59% are making purchases for primary school, 50% for high school, and 9% for university or TAFE. Around 4% of purchases are for Post-Graduate (Participants could select multiple options).
- The 35-49-year-old age bracket are set to make up the lion’s share of BTS spending, spending an average of $600 each and making up $1.75 billion of the $2.7 billion overall spend.
- Around 15% of those participating in the sales plan to spend more than $1,000, while 9% plan on spending less than $100.
- The most popular purchases will be stationary (mentioned by 55% of respondents), school uniforms (53%), footwear (50%), books (40%) and lunchboxes or water bottles (27%). Other purchases included: school bags, computer or tech equipment, sports gear and home equipment such as desks and chairs.
- Women remain the main household decision maker on BTS purchases with 74% of purchases, followed by men at 14%, guardians at 6% and students themselves at 2%.
- Most (65%) will purchase in-store, with 33% making purchases online and 37% making purchases directly through the school or school suppliers. WA (46%) and SA (40%) had the highest number of respondents planning to purchase This contrasts with NSW where 76% of purchasers intend to buy items in-store.
ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown said the projected BTS purchases would provide retailers with a welcome cashflow boost as many Australians return from their holidays and prepare their kids for the school year.
