Retailers expect less spending on back to school

Nevada households are expected to spend a combined $221 million on back-to-school supplies this year, down from about $245 million last year.

That’s according to an estimate released Tuesday by the Retail Association of Nevada.

Association President Mary Lau says back-to-school spending reached an all-time high last year, so a decline this year is expected.

But she adds the 2013 forecast is still up 5.2 percent from two years ago.

Back-to-college sales are expected to drop 7.8 percent this year to an average of $836.83 per student.

Total back-to-college sales in Nevada are forecast to reach $87.9 million, down from $95.3 million in 2012.