CGP: Back-to-school sales to slow but still hit new record, buoyed by inflation

Back-to-school sales are expected to slow “sharply” compared to a banner 2021. That’s according to veteran retail forecasters Customer Growth Partners, which predicted that BTS sales will slow from 2021’s torrid 13.1% pace — the highest ever seen — and grow by 5.5% to a record $812 billion. That’s up from $769 billion in 2021. (The traditional BTS season starts after the 4th of July and extends through Labor Day.)