Just when it feels as if summer is in full bloom, those back-to-school items begin appearing on store shelves as a reminder that all flowers fade.

From behind the Savoy's velvet drapes, Soviet parents can be seen inching forward in hopes of finding increasingly scarce back-to-school items like notebooks.

"And it's sure to be the hottest back-to-school item on every parent's 'must-have list.' "

Lila Metcalf, the owner, says the average family is spending about $500 at the store on back-to-school items for each child this year.

The back page has more back-to-school items like pencils, crayons and Elmer's glue.

One factor this season may be the continued strength in the housing market, analysts said, which makes consumers feel that they can afford to buy plenty of back-to-school items.

Consumers spent freely, taking vacations and shopping for back-to-school items.

This is a great opportunity to save money on back-to-school items including clothes, shoes, and supplies.

Toys and baby items and back-to-school items, stationery, cosmetics, just little things that big stores aren't geared up to sell.

What used to be considered basic back-to-school items - schoolbags, pencil cases, stationery, lunch boxes and the like - have now become fashion accessories in the classroom.