Ready for back-to-school shopping? (Valley Forum).

For people with school-age children, late summer and early fall are always a busy shopping season. Retailers, however, are reporting their back-to-school sales this year are down compared to previous years. So, the San Fernando Valley Business Journal asks:

Have your back-to-school shopping patterns changed this year?

Douglas Kolker

President

Sandler Sales Institute

Encino

Our two daughters start a new school next week and we're shopping and spending more than ever. We recognize our good fortune in being able to do so.

Daniel L. McConaughy

Director

Cal State Northridge Family Business Center

Northridge

My daughter returned to 12th grade this year. The clothes buying was only for what she needed. It was not as big a shopping experience as in years past.

We did however, get her a Dell computer and HP printer, which we figure will get her going in college next year.

Eve M. Kurtin

Managing Director

Pacific Venture Group

Encino

I have two children going back to school and our shopping both for clothes and supplies are equivalent to past years.

Richard Hartzler

Realtor

Coldwell Banker

Encino

The reason back-to-school sales are down is because of online shopping, places like Ebay, Amazon, etc.

Severyn L Aszkenazy

Principal

Pueblo Contracting

San Fernando 

Our spending will be normal when it gets started. School starts after Labor Day and, with supplies and clothing to buy, even the grandparents get involved. School uniforms require that two wardrobes be purchased and designer-labeled clothes become a requirement for 14-year-olds.

With growth spurts, up-to-the-minute fashion trends and last-minute clearance sales, holding out is a strategy. All the excitement of school starting makes me want to be 14 again.

Josh Barinstein

President/Creative

Director

Eclectic Multimedia

Newbury Park

One thing my wife points out is that fashion hasn't changed that much from last year, therefore older clothing is still in style. Additionally, it hasn't been a particularly hot summer, so there's less of that contrast in going from warm weather clothes to cold weather.

The post-9/11 economy has certainly contributed to shopping patterns. In our case, as business owners, we are seeing budgets being cut everywhere, therefore it gives us a sense of "tightness" out there that impacts how well we think we're doing. I say "think" because I feel that it's mostly fear.

I would argue that things aren't really so bad, it's more that we're still reeling from the terrorist attacks (and a pre-9/11 economy that was heading down) and afraid of what the future might hold.