An early read on Back-to-School 2026 trends found children increasingly influencing purchase decisions, clothing and footwear leading category spending, and e-commerce gaining a large share this year, according to a new survey from PwC. The 2026 U.S. Consumer Poll on Back-to-School Shopping found this year’s average household spend tallies $922, led by clothing and shoes at $278, $222 on technology, and $161 on equipment for after-school activities. School supplies will account for $122 of the budget, with books and educational materials at $95 and other one-time school-year purchases at $44. Families ... Log in to view full article.