‘Back-to-school’ promos draw customers as new academic year approaches

Malls, hypermarkets and other outlets selling school supplies across the country are offering a wide range of buying options with their respective ‘back-to-school’ promotions in the run-up to the start of the new academic year on August 25.Families have started returning to Qatar after the summer and Eid al-Adha holidays, and are now busy making necessary preparations for the resumption of classes, which include replenishing or buying new school supplies, uniforms and other items needed in class.Besides school supplies, some stores are also extending their ‘back-to-school’ promos by offering discounted prices on other products.Consequently, many customers are making the most of offers on assorted children’s apparel and shoes, toys and even household appliances.Angela, a mother of three schoolgoing children, told Gulf Times that the ‘back-to-school’ promos being offered currently “help ease the financial impact on the family budget”.“It is not easy raising young children, let alone the cost of getting them through school. Aside from tuition fees, other incidentals, such as school supplies, uniforms and other miscellaneous expenses, are a strain on the pocket. This is why we always look forward to these promotions because of the low prices,” she said.A 34-year old Doha resident added that she usually goes around malls to scout for special promotions, as well as prominent hypermarkets in the city.“There are other school supplies outlets and stores, too, which offer a wide range of brands, a sort of a ‘one-stop-shop’. As I still have the luxury of time, I opt to go around looking for other options budget-wise and product-wise,” she pointed out.A merchandiser at a leading hypermarket in Doha said the popular products driving demand include children’s trolley bags, whose prices range from as low as QR29 to QR136.Similarly, he said assorted school backpacks are also in demand and cost from QR49 to QR179.“Bags are among the fast-moving items, which is why customers will find a variety of promotions on these products across many malls and hypermarkets offering ‘back-to-school’ discounts,” he noted.Other fast-moving items available with special discounts include sets of coloured pencils for QR20, oil pastels for QR15, pencils for QR12, erasers for QR10, school stationery kits from QR19 to QR27 and study tables from QR39 to QR69, he added.Besides school items, some hypermarkets have included other products in their ‘back-to-school’ promos.These include assorted men’s printed shirt and trousers, cabin-size and midsize trolleys, assorted fitted sheets, pillow cover sets and single bed sheets, among others.