U.S. back-to-school sales in July and August this year will grow to $857.2 billion, a 4% increase over 2016, which saw record sales in key categories, according to a forecast from e-commerce research firm eMarketer.
The back-to-school retail season is second only to holiday sales, making up 17% of total sales for the year, according to eMarketer, which will release its full report at the end of the month. The largest segments are apparel and accessories, books, music and video, computers and consumer electronics, office equipment and supplies, and toys and hobbies, including sporting goods, eMarketer said.
