Customers, merchants gear up for big shopping weekend

This will be a busy weekend for shopping in Missouri.

It's the last weekend before school starts, and also the annual back-to-school shopping sales tax holiday.

According to a recent article by Erin Ragan, most area cities, including Jackson and Sikeston, have opted to participate in the holiday, meaning city sales taxes will be dropped for school-relaed purchases. Cape Girardeau did not participate this year, meaning the city's 2.75 percent sales tax will still apply, but it's important to remember that the state sales tax will still be in effect, so there will still be a savings. Plus, many merchants are offering deep discounts in addition to the sales tax holiday.

The tax holiday applies to clothing (excluding accessories such as jewelry and belts) and shoe purchases up to $100; school-supply purchases up to $50; computer-software purchases up to $350; and personal computer and related computer device purchases up to $3,500.

The National Retail Federation reported recently that the average family with school-age children will spend $630 on school merchandise. Total back-to-school spending by K-12 students will hit $24.9 billion this year.

There is quite a bit of money to be spent and saved this weekend. It looks to be a good shopping weekend for consumers and merchants.