Please, mom!

A survey by NPD Group indicated back-to-school shoppers plan to spend the same (43%) or less (21%) time at brick-and-mortar stores. 51% will shop between Aug. 1 and Sept. 1, compared with 56% last year.

On the other hand, moms welcome online retail stores. A study from PersonalShopper.com found that 55% of moms are planning to do their back-to-school shopping online this year - an increase of more than 25% over 2005. Limited time and money are the reasons.