SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- It is that time of year again! Back-to-school shopping is the second busiest shopping period behind the Christmas holiday period and can have a big impact on the economy. 

 Several forecasters are expecting big jumps in back-to-school spending, but parents are still prudent and many are holding out for the biggest deals.

From bolder backpacks and locker accessories to uniform embellishments, even the basics on most back-to-school shopping lists have gotten more complicated and expensive.

 The National Retail Federation is expecting to see a 14% increase in back-to-school spending, but some analysts don't see back-to-school as a slam dunk for retailers. CNBC.COM  Back to School expert Christina Cheddar Berk  discusses what retailers need to to to compete for those extra dollars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS CENTER