Student markets do brisk business

Thiruvananthapuram: With just a week left for the reopening of schools, students stores selling school related stuff are doing a brisk business. From flashy umbrellas to attractive bags, all are up for grabs at these stores. The government-run stores are offering discount raging from 20 per cent to 40 per cent.

Chalai market continues to be the most sought after destination for those looking for articles at reasonable price. Skybags in Chalai market range between Rs 500 – `750 while similar stuff is priced on the higher side in major shopping malls.

The school trolley bag pack bags are most sought in big malls. The bags bearing the pictures of popular childrens cartoon characters; ‘Sofia the first’, ‘motu patlu’, and ‘Dora the Explorer’ are hot favour-ites, especially among those who are joining Class I. The prices range from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500.

“I want Sofia bag otherwise I won’t go to school. I love her and I want to go to school with her,’’ six-year old Meenu was seen pressing her mother.  

The popular umbrella brands have come out with innovative stuff this season. Three and four fold umbrellas with sprinklers and water guns are up for grabs at prices ranging from Rs 350 to 500.

The shopkeepers at Chalai said the rush witnessed in the market two to three years ago, is not visible now. With big malls coming up all over the city, many people prefer buying school items, grocery, kitchen items and clothes under one roof.

“When all these articles are available in air conditioned building then why should I wander with my family from shop to shop that too under hot sun,” said a customer at a prominent shopping mall. Apart from shopping malls and popular markets, there are government and cooperate society run stores which are offering articles at attractive discounts.

Consumer fed has opened special students market at 600 centres across the state where the discount on school items ranges from 20 to 40 per cent.

The ‘Student’s Market’ set up by Government Secretariat Staff Cooperative Society has items like books, notebooks, pens, bags, shoes, uniforms, umbrella, lunchbox, water bottles et al needed for schools and colleges, at much discounted rates.

A king-sized notebook with 192 pages priced at Rs 52 is available here for Rs 36, drawing book for Rs 12 here.