Ahead of the fall semester, Her Campus surveyed 562 Gen Zers about their
back-to-college shopping plans.
Here's what they’re buying, where they’re getting it, and how they’re making their purchase decisions.
is the Average amount college students plan on spending on back-to-college shopping this year.
$1,231
Average amount students plan to spend on each back-to-college shopping category:
$271
CLothing & Accessories
Home furnishings + Decorations
$270
Tech Hardware
Beauty + Personal care Products
$213
$180
Footwear
Pharmaceutical products
$155
$144
school supplies
tech software
$143
$110
Of gen zers say the economy is affecting their back-to-college purchasing decisions.
53%
Types of stores where college students plan to spend the most money on back-to-school shopping:
Walmart
Target
Amazon
Marshalls
Kohl's
Ulta
Sephora
Where most college students are getting their back-to-school shopping inspo:
Friends + Peers
68%
Instagram
TikTOk
75%
56%
84%
Of students plan to use social media for back-to-college shopping by:
making purchases
seeing reviews from others
discovering new products or brands
of college students are open to buying a new product or brand if they can try out a free sample first.
Big-Box Stores
online retailers
discount stores
beauty retailers
55%
Of gen zers say the economy is affecting their back-to-college purchasing decisions.
OF COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE OPEN TO BUYING A NEW PRODUCT OR BRAND IF THEY CAN TRY OUT A FREE SAMPLE FIRST.