Back-to-school shopping has always been a busy and expensive time of year, but in 2025, families are feeling the financial pinch more than ever. To help offset costs, Simon Malls, including Katy Mills, has launched its Back-to-School 2025 Sweepstakes, offering a grand prize of $5,000 in prepaid cards and ten $500 prepaid gift cards to support families gearing up for the new school year.
Rising Costs Push Families to Shop Early
This year, families with children in elementary through high school are expected to spend an average of $858.07 on clothing, shoes, school supplies, and electronics, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). The breakdown includes $295.81 for electronics, $249.36 for clothing and accessories, $169.13 for shoes, and $143.77 for school supplies like backpacks, notebooks, and lunch kits…