More Than Beer and Pizza: Back-to-College Sales Expected to Exceed $47 Billion

* Students and parents are expected to spend $12.8 billion on such electronics items as laptops, digital cameras, iPhones and other cell phones;

* Shoe sales are expected to hit $2.96 billion;

* General school supply sales will reach $3.14 billion;

* Dorm and apartment furnishings are expected to account for $5.43 billion in sales, a substantial increase over last year’s $3.82 billion;