64% of consumers surveyed will do some back-to-school spending on the web.

The Fourth of July holiday weekend is almost here, but some merchants are thinking more about pencils and notebooks than sparklers or red, white and blue streamers.

Almost two-thirds (64%) of U.S. consumers say they will shop online for some school supplies this year, according to the “Back-to-School 2016: Insights Into the Spending, Shopping, and Attitudes of American Families.” The report from Field Agent, a mobile market and research firm, surveyed 500 U.S. households about their back-to-school shopping plans.

A little over one-third (38%) of consumers surveyed say they will buy more than 5% of basic supplies online, but nearly as many (36%) said they will buy no school essentials online, the survey said. Only 6% say they will buy more than half of their school-related products online.

The likelihood of buying clothing and footwear online for back-to-school purposes breaks down as follows:

  • 18% completely likely
  • 20% very likely
  • 23% moderately likely
  • 19% slightly likely
  • 20% not at all likely

Office Depot Inc., No. 9 in the Internet Retailer 2016 Top 500 Guide, is promoting its buy online, pick up in store service for back-to-school shoppers. The office supplies retailer is hiring 8,000 summer workers for its stores during back-to-school season. While many of those hires will stock shelves and work cash registers, they also will help with fulfilling online orders to be picked up in store, she says. 

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