BTS flourished in 2000, says SHOPA

Drug Store News, Feb 19, 2001

DAYTON, Ohio -- The back-to-school shopping season saw significant growth in 2000, according to the School, Home & Office Products Association, as the drug store channel posted a 3.6 percent increase for the 2000 season. Overall, back-to-school shoppers spent $5.8 billion on supplies last year.

"The mean dollar amount spent per household in 2000 for school supplies was up-- $152.60 [in 2000] as compared to $150.80 in 1999," explained SHOPA president Steven Jacober. SHOPA found the typical demographic skewed to-ward "white females, age 34-44, with some college or graduate school education and an annual household income of between $40,000 to $75,000."

"In addition, having items in stock was listed as a primary influence for choosing where to shop," Jacober said.

                        BTS household expenditures
                             by region in 2000
West      $176.6
Northeast  176.1
South      147.5
Midwest    119.1
Source: School, Home & Office Products
Association consumer survey
                      Back-to-School growth 2000 [*]
Warehouse clubs/Supermarkets 8.9%
Discounters                  5.7
Drug Stores                  3.6
(*.)Comparable-store sales for August-
September 2000
Source: School, Home & Office Products

Association