Back-to-school shopping starts early as families try to save money

Back-to-school shopping is already in full swing, and families across the country are getting a jump on deals to stretch their budgets.

A new survey from the National Retail Federation shows 67% of consumers have already started their school shopping, up from 55% this time last year.

More than half of those surveyed said concerns over tariffs influenced their decision to shop earlier than usual. Meanwhile, 82% of shoppers said they planned their spending around major July sales events at big-name retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

In total, Americans are expected to spend more than $128 billion this back-to-school season, as parents and students stock up on everything from school supplies to clothing and electronics.

Retailers are also responding by rolling out discounts earlier and expanding their online promotions to meet demand.