As the academic year approaches, traditional retailers are grappling with declining sales,attributing their struggles to competition from malls and e-commerce platforms. Many consumers are tightening their budgets,further complicating situation for local businesses. Retailers report that prices for school supplies have increased by approximately 10% this year, yet they believe the real issue lies in cautious spending habits amid economic uncertainty.
Rajesh A.G., a 50-year-old autorickshaw driver and father of twins,expressed the financial strain his family faces. “Prices of all school supplies have gone up,and meeting expenses of new academic year has become difficult,” he said. Similarly,Sumesh,whose child attends a private school, noted that managing finances during this time has become increasingly challenging.
Despite efforts to attract customers with trendy items, such as Korean- and cartoon-themed school supplies, conventional traders are struggling to maintain sales. Althaf Ismail,who has operated a stationery and furniture store in Palarivattom for 26 years,lamented the drop in business . “We have always had good sales during the school reopening season . But since last year, sales have nosedived as people tend to spend less because of financial constraints,” he stated.
Abdul Razak, who runs a store in Broadway, has stocked a range of school bags priced between ₹400 and ₹900. He noted that customers often come in, compare prices, and leave if they find better deals online. “People walk in, compare prices, and leave if they find a better deal online,” Razak explained,highlighting the challenges faced by brick-and-mortar stores in the current retail landscape.
As school season nears,the shift towards online shopping continues to reshape the market, leaving traditional retailers to navigate a tough economic climate and changing consumer behaviors .
