Back to school facts

Summer vacations coming to an end mean a whole new season of learning experiences will begin for your child. It's a time when many children eagerly anticipate catching up with old friends, making new ones and settling into a daily routine. Parents and children alike scan the newspapers and Internet looking for sales to shop for a multitude of school supplies and the latest clothing trends and essentials. We're highlighting the many statistics associated with the return to classrooms by students and teachers this fall.

Credit: The U.S. Census Bureau
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<b>$7.6 billion</b><br> <br> The amount of money spent at family clothing stores in August 2008. Topped only by holiday sales in December that year, back-to-school shopping was one of the biggest annual booms for children's clothing retail.<br> <br> <b>$2.4 billion</b><br> <br> Total sales at bookstores in August 2008. January was the only month in 2008 to rival those sales.<br> <br> <br> Credit: The U.S. Census Bureau

Back-to-school shopping

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$7.6 billion

The amount of money spent at family clothing stores in August 2008. Topped only by holiday sales in December that year, back-to-school shopping was one of the biggest annual booms for children's clothing retail.

$2.4 billion

Total sales at bookstores in August 2008. January was the only month in 2008 to rival those sales.


Credit: The U.S. Census Bureau