Back-to-school shoppers using tablets to look for deals

Tablets are expected to be among the most-wanted items for this year's returning students. But, as a recent study shows, the devices will also play a big role before students even step foot into the classroom.

The study, conducted by market analysis firm BIGresearch, shows that nearly one-third of tablet owners will use their mobile devices for back-to-school shopping this year to redeem coupons, search for deals and make purchases.

According to the report, college students, more so than kindergarten-to-12th-grade shoppers, plan to use tablet computers for shopping activities. In a survey of nearly 9,000 consumers, 40 percent of college shoppers say they will use tablets to make purchases, while 30 percent of other shoppers expect to do the same.

"Consumers looking to save time and money while shopping for school items will be able to find their favorite brands in an instant, complete their checklists and purchase what they need all with a swipe of their finger," says Matthew Shay, president and CEO of retail trade association NRF, which sponsored the study.

Beyond shopping habits, tablets have already had an impact in other areas of consumers' lives. A recent study from research firm Chadwick Martin Bailey shows many consumers are catering their movie-watching and game-playing habits to tablet devices.