Sales boost for back to school shopping

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - For many local students, that dreaded first day of school is just weeks or even days away.

It's back to school time again and many retailers are trying to boost sales by offering good deals.

Scott Krugman of the National Retail Federation said, "Retailers have to come out there and be heavily promotional, come out with a lot of deep discounts to entice consumers to come back to stores."

Despite the deep discounts, it is estimated that families are spending about $60 more getting ready for school than they did last year.

Out of the 13 categories that make up the retail sector, just four show growth in the last year.

Internet sales are one of them.

"It's almost cool to be value conscious these days. No one wants to waste money," added Loren Bendele of Savings.com.

Loren Bendele's company, savings.com, provides online coupons for online stores to on-line shoppers like Mindi Cherry.

Cherry said, "I do a whole lot of shopping online because its just the easiest way and you get the best discounts online."

She makes 95% of her back to school purchases on the internet.

Other back to school stories:

Rally helps kids get ready for school.

Back to school for some local students.

Buff State welcomes first time freshmen.

"I am actually buying them a little more because I'm saving more. It frees up a lot of money," added Cherry.

A trend for retailers to keep in mind perhaps since back to school shopping is the best indication of what will happen at Christmas.