 The back-to-school and college season is an important time for retailers and consumers. Bruce Neustadt is president of the Minnesota Retailers Association. Back-to-school and back-to-college shopping, especially here in Minnesota, is a big season for retailers. And about half of us here in Minnesota have already started shopping for our back-to-school supplies. Families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $874 on clothing, shoes, school supplies, and electronics.