North Carolina Retailers Predict Another Strong Year for Back-to-School Sales

(Raleigh – August 15, 2024) The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association and Appalachian State University Center for Economic Research and Policy Analysis has forecast increased Back-to-School retail sales in 2024 with expected total sales of $84 billion, a 2.6 percent increase over last year’s Back-to-School sales of $81.67 billion.

“This year’s positive forecast shows the continued vitality of North Carolina’s retail industry, and the trust North Carolina consumers have in our retailers to find what they need for their students,” said Andy Ellen, President & General Counsel of the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association, which sponsored the study.

The forecast included projections for June-September 2024 to include consumers who buy for year-round school and early shoppers.

Projections for September 2024 forecast a 3.3 percent uptick compared to September 2023. That was the largest jump of the months forecast, but all four months were forecast to see an increase with an average monthly growth of about 2.6 percent compared to last year.

The report reveals a consistent upward trend of retail sales over the past decade.

Founded in 1902, the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA) is the voice of the retail industry for North Carolina, representing more than 25,000 stores across the state whose business represents 75 percent of North Carolina’s retail sales volume. NCRMA serves both large and small retailers from multi-state chains to local “mom and pops” and represents all genres of merchants.The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association and Appalachian State University Center for Economic Research and Policy Analysis has forecast increased Back-to-School retail sales in 2024 with expected total sales of $84 billion, a 2.6 percent increase over last year’s Back-to-School sales of $81.67 billion.

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