What Kids Are Buying for Back-to-School

This is an interesting article about what things people are buying their kids for their return to school. One interesting thing is how much parents spend nowadays:

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has a very optimistic view
estimate for this year's average back-to-school spending. The trade
association's annual survey claims that the average American family will spend
$527.08, up from $443.77 last year.

It seems that parents are mostly buying electronics (PCs and IPods) but some are buying more clothes too. And it seems like the 80s trend may be what is in now:

We'll just have to see how the 80s-inspired looks will go over, "skinny
jeans" and all. Fashionistas claim the look's definitely hot, but teens have yet
to confirm that opinion. Although many retailers had a heyday with denim over
the last couple years, they might have to stay on their toes, seeding their
stores with the right balance of trendy goods and more conventional duds, since
the retro-'80s trend is still pretty new on the scene. This year has been a
bloodbath for many retail stocks, so investors will be watching teens' shopping
trends closely.

Judging by recent solid earnings reports, some of the "most likely
to succeed" retailers for back-to-school wardrobes include American Eagle
Outfitters (Nasdaq: AEOS) and Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF). Plenty of other retailers hope for teens' and college students' dollars as well, including J. Crew (NYSE: JCG) and Urban Outfitters.