Families could see a back-to-school supply shortage soon

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — With the start of school around the corner, many of you have been shopping for school supplies.

We know during this pandemic we’ve seen shortages on a lot of things and experts are warning there will probably be a shortage of back-to-school supplies soon.

“A lot of times on these lists there are bulk items so if there are bulk items, so if there’s a parents group or a bunch of neighbors with the same school get together with them and see if you guys can split the cost,” Better Business Bureau Upstate New York Communications Director Melanie McGovern said.

With school coming up, and a lot of districts going back in person, expect those supplies to dwindle as prices rise.

“The National Retail Federation says the number one thing that students want this year is new clothes,” McGovern said. “I mean think about last year, the kids were home, they didn’t have to get new clothes for school so I think that’s one of the things parents should be on the lookout for.”

According to the National Retail Federation, 2021 brings back-to-class shopping to record levels.

Families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $848 dollars on school items, which is $59 more than last year.

Total back-to-school spending is expected to reach a record $37.1 billion, which is an all-time high in the survey’s history

“You see an ad maybe on social media or pop up on a search engine make sure you’re checking that retailer before you put in any kind of credit card information because most of the time if national retailers or local retailers are sold out of an item there’s probably no way that this website has it,” McGovern said.

McGovern says, for now, try not to panic buy and stock up on supplies but to be prepared and try to get only the items you need early.

“Schools give lists and sometimes parents think that their kid needs all kind of stuff that they don’t need. So, if you see this product that you think your child needs that is in shortage, call your teacher, call your school check online with the schools’ website. Make sure the child actually needs it before you go to panic buying mode before you buy it mode or end up buying it and you don’t need it and somebody else needs it,” McGovern said.