Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
As the start of the new school year draws near, some parents are finding it difficult to purchase school supplies because of the rising prices of books.
Navigating a landscape of inflated costs, many parents and guardians have opted to shop around for more budget-friendly options.
When Guardian Media checked with bookstore owners in South Trinidad, some of them lamented the notable absence of the customary back-to-school shopping frenzy.
With just a fortnight remaining before school reopens for the new academic year, the pace of book sales has considerably lagged. Despite this, most bookstore owners expressed optimism that it will pick up as September draws near.
At Mohammed’s Bookstore in Siparia, a worker said many people were pricing books rather than buying. She said sales were slow but they expected things to heat up in the coming days.
A woman who was purchasing books, but requested anonymity, said she was helping an impoverished mother with her children’s booklist.
At Teddy Mohammed’s bookstore in Gulf View, Michael Chankar was shopping for uniforms.
“I already got the books. This is last minute before school opens. We are transitioning from pre-school to primary schools and the book prices are similar but uniforms are pricier this time around,” he said.
Another customer Donna Dyer of Princes Town said she had to wait until she got some money before she could buy books.
“We come to buy at Teddy’s because the prices are the best. When you get the money, then you can buy the books,” Dyer declared laughing. She said she was purchasing supplies for her grandchildren.
Reynold Bassant, Customer Service Representative at Mohammed’s Bookstores said prices had increased compared to last year because of rising transportation costs. He said they were cognisant that times were difficult.
“At the beginning of the vacation, things were slow and we were waiting for supplies of books so that customers can start to come and buy. That went on for two weeks and now in August, more people are coming. A throng of people here and there. At the end of July, things picked up. Many days the store was packed,” Bassant revealed.
He added, “There was a rise in the prices of books coming from abroad and cost of transportation, rentals had put a dent in the pockets of people.”
Another customer Allan Roopnarine who came to Teddy Mohammed’s store, to pick up uniforms, said some people were using second-hand books.
“The school has a supply of a few books and some second-hand books are available. We came to get those books which we didn’t have before. In some cases there may have been increases in prices and uniforms have increased,” Roopnarine said.
At Michael Mohammed Bookstore on Pointe-a-Pierre Road, some customers said they were thankful for cheaper prices.
“Last year I spent about $4,000 for books for my four children and today after buying everything except stationary, I paid $2,300,” one customer said.
At the bookstore reading books were sold at a discount to encourage reading during the holidays. Pupils who came to the store were given stickers as an incentive.
Many of the proprietors said they expected sales to pick up as the school term draws near.
