Kochi: With just one week left for reopening of schools, there is no visible shopping spree anywhere in the city. Traders have complained of poor sales compared to previous years. Most of the schools mandate that the students should buy necessary items like books, bag and shoes from the schools itself. The online shopping trend has also impacted the sale, the traders rued.
"Though this is the best season when shops can make decent profit, the scene is totally different this year. Many of the parents buy materials from schools itself as several schools stipulate it," said Jyothi Jeason, a bag shop owner in the city.
"Online shopping has also dampened the business. We are afraid to take new items, since most of the parents are making shopping online for their children. The big shopping malls have also badly impacted the business of small traders. Shopping malls have entire school packages comprising stationery to uniforms at discounted prices," said Saheeb M., a salesperson in a bag and footwear shop.
Meanwhile, the special school markets operated by government and cooperative societies are yet to start functioning.
"Online shopping sites are better option as they have a wide variety of choices. So, there is no need to visit the local shop for purchasing school articles," said Hiran Mohan, a school student."Usually, there would have big rush of customers in the week ahead of school reopening which is not seen this time. However, we hope, the business will pick up in coming days," said A Najeeb, another shop owner.
