The Chicago Tribune (7/17, Elejalde-Ruiz) reports the National Retail Federation’s annual back-to-school survey shows that “families expect to spend more on school items than they did last year, even though more than 80 percent say the tough economy still affects their spending decisions.” Stragglers – the latest shoppers – also are expected to increase, up “to 7.7 percent from 5.4 percent last year.” Overall, the shoppers expect to spend $26.5 billion, “down slightly from last year because there are fewer students in households.” Spending for back-to-college students, however, “is expected to grow to $48.4 billion, up from $45.8 billion last year.”