Parents go to pawnshops for back-to-school shopping

(CNN)– Pawn shops are becoming popular with parents who are shopping for their kids.

The result, a rise in sales of 4% at those stores last quarter.

That’s according to “EZ Pawn”, a chain with hundreds of locations nationwide.

Owners of pawn shops say back-to-school items have recently been strong sellers.

Those items include shoes, laptops, and mini-fridges for college dorms.

One main reason, items there are much less expensive sometimes up to 50% off.

Meanwhile, countries that make many back-to-school items are facing increased tariffs from the U.S.