According to the National Retail Federation, back-to-school spending in the USA will increase 10.5 percent this year compared to crisis-hit 2009.

The study reports that combined spending will be $55.1 billion, making it second only to holiday shopping. According to the NRF spending survey, more than seven in 10 respondents said they would shop at a discount store for school supplies this year, half will head to a department store, and 30.8 percent will shop online compared to 22.2 percent last year.

“It’s good to see consumers responding to back-to-school sales and promotions,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “Back-to-school will be the first real test for retailers and the economy as we plan for the holiday season.”