Back-to-School Spending Surveys Reveal Differences About Tech Buys

Are parents spending more on technology for their K-12 students this school year? That depends upon which major back-to-school study you consult.

The National Retail Federation, a trade association of merchants, in mid-July reported a decline in anticipated spending on electronics, saying that families planning to invest in a new tablet or smartphone will spend slightly less than last year—$199.05 in 2013, compared to $217.88 in 2012.

But the American Express Spending and Saving Tracker survey, released Aug 20, predicts a marked increase in technology spending, with half of parents who have school-age children saying they plan to buy at least one digital gadget this season, an increase from 36 percent last year.