Students across North Carolina are settling into school routines, and researchers in Appalachian State University's Center for Economic Research and Policy Analysis (CERPA) have forecasted increased spending related to "back to school."
Featured in the Carolina Journal, a CERPA study conducted in partnership with the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA) expects a 4.3% increase in back-to-school retail spending across the state, totaling $84.54 billion from June through September 2025.
Dr. Imran Arif, associate professor of economics in the Walker College of Business and lead author of the forecast, attributed the growth to improving economic conditions and falling inflation. “This growth suggests that North Carolina consumers are not just keeping pace with inflation — they’re stepping up spending,” he said.
CERPA’s research offers timely insight into the economic forces shaping household decisions — and highlights the role App State continues to play in informing policy and supporting North Carolina’s business community.
Read the full article in the Carolina Journal.
About the Center for Economics Research and Policy Analysis (CERPA)
The Center for Economics Research and Policy Analysis (CERPA) at Appalachian State University enables decision-makers to implement policies that better achieve targeted outcomes by producing research and disseminating information on current economic and policy issues. Housed in the Walker College of Business' Department of Economics, CERPA maintains the Appalachian Experimental Economics Laboratory (AppEEL) as part of the experimental economics program and encourages faculty and student research. For more information, visit cerpa.appstate.edu.
About the Department of Economics at Appalachian State University
The Department of Economics in Appalachian State University's Walker College of Business is an intellectually vibrant place for students and faculty. As a research-intensive department committed to student learning, the department offers a wide range of courses that provide critical thinking and problem-solving skills, complemented by student-faculty research collaboration. Our faculty members are engaged in research that contributes locally and globally to energy, environment, development, trade, health, sports, and tourism. The Department of Economics is ranked among the leading U.S. economics departments for research productivity and is particularly strong in environmental and experimental economics. Learn more at economics.appstate.edu.
