School Starting Soon; Stationery Shops Hold Sales

[Staff Report]

With school about to start, stationery shops in the district are offering deals on school bags and stationery sets, and some are staying open until 9 p.m.

A shopkeeper of more than ten years said business is about the same as last year, with parents mostly shopping the week before school. "People used to buy whole sets. Now they buy whatever is missing."

School supplies have gotten pricier in recent years, especially ergonomic school bags that can cost over a thousand dollars, yet they sell better than the cheap ones.

Another shopkeeper said some schools now buy notebooks in bulk, so stationery shops sell mostly cram school supplies and study guides. "Business isn't what it used to be, but you have to keep going."