PRINTER news

The average American family with school-aged children will spend $606.40 on clothes, shoes, supplies and electronics, compared to $548.72 last year, and close to the $594.24 in 2008. Total spending on children in grades K-12 is expected to reach $21.35 billion.

The average college student's family will spend $616.13 on new apparel, furniture for dorms or apartments, school supplies and electronics. Students and their families spent only slightly more last year ($618.12). Total spending on back-to-college merchandise is expected to reach $33.77 billion.