Thiruvananthapuram shops see brisk business as pupils rush for shopping

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The commercial hubs in the city have been experiencing heavy footfall as parents thronged the shops for last-minute purchase of goodies two days ahead of school reopening. Traditionally, most sales happen on the day before school reopening and shopkeepers await the big rush on Tuesday.

Even smaller shops have been selling between 80 and 300 bags a day. The sales will be at least five times higher in shops in Chalai. Umbrella sales have not picked up yet as parents will purchase them only on the day of the first monsoon rains, said a shopkeeper. He sells not less than 50 Poppy umbrellas. ‘Mayavi’ umbrellas are the most sought-after this year.

“Scoobee Day Desire bags have been in high demand. There are bags that come with the themes of Angry birds, Ben 10 and Chotta Bheem. They all sell a lot this month,” he added. “Good bags generally last for two-three years. So parents ask children to adjust with old ones in the first week and then buy new ones after getting the month’s salary,” said D.S. Deepu, a shop owner at Malayankeezhu.

The Government Secretariat Staff Sahakarana Sangham which has opened two stalls near Cantonment Gate and YMCA attract thousands of people due to the discounts of up to 35 per cent on many products. Pencil boxes, pouches, pens, pencils, erasers, brown paper and 16 types of note books sell like hot cakes here.