Canada Reports Boost in Back-to-School Apparel Spending

Canadian children headed back to school in style this year, according to reports from Moneris Solutions, the country’s largest processor of debit, credit and gift card payments.

The firm’s data on consumer spending showed people spent more money on clothing and books during the three weeks leading up to Labor Day this year, choosing to save money when it came to school supplies. Children’s clothing stores reported showed credit card dollar volumes were up 7 percent over the same period in 2008, while bookstores posted a 10 percent gain. Stationery stores, on the other hand, posted flat sales this season. Similar patterns were seen in Canadians’ debit card spending.

“Higher dollar volumes in both credit and debit card transactions tell us that increased consumer activity is not just the result of people swiping their cards more—they actually are spending more,” said David Ades, Moneris Solutions’ senior vice president of sales and marketing. “These numbers are an encouraging indication of renewed consumer confidence, and we share business owners’ optimism that this early momentum is a sign of things to come this holiday season.”

Read the September issue and learn more about: A Spring ’10 trend report A spotlight on new products bowing at ABC Kids Expo The top launches from the New York shows Catching up with the Kids In Distressed Situations charity Plus: Infant and toddler fashion Coming In October: Tools for selling slings and wraps Tips for easing CPSIA compliance Understanding the Canadian consumer Back to the future with tween fashion Plus: hot gifts for tweens and infant hosiery