Schools are approaching... and stationery markets have revived
Faisal Matar
As the pace of family preparations for the return of students to schools in the middle of the current month accelerates, preparations for the new academic year 2026–2027 have taken on a different character this year. This is because they coincide with a full return to in-person studies in all schools, following a suspension since late February last year due to Iran’s criminal attacks on the country, and the subsequent end of the academic year and the onset of the summer holiday. Teachers began their regular in-person duties last Sunday, in preparation for welcoming students in mid-September.
With the countdown to the resumption of in-person classes for education school students underway, local markets, shopping malls, and cooperative societies are regaining their seasonal activity. Parents are flocking to buy school uniforms, bags, notebooks, and stationery, while shops and bookstores have intensified their promotions to attract shoppers by offering varied options in terms of price and quality.
A Kuwait Times tour observed the beginning of a shopping movement at several retail outlets, although it has not yet reached its peak. Sellers confirmed that they have already received parents keen on completing their children’s purchases early, while anticipating that the few days preceding the students’ return to their schools will witness the real surge, as a wide segment of families tends to delay shopping until closer to the start of the academic term.
**Varied Options**
Abu Yousef, a vendor at one of the local markets, said that shops have begun preparing for the academic season by stocking diverse quantities of school uniforms, bags, and stationery. He noted that prices are tiered to suit family budgets and appear lower in many categories compared to last year.
He explained that the cost of equipping a single student varies depending on the type and quality of purchases. Basic uniforms, a bag, and standard stationery can be provided for no more than 20 dinars when choosing economical items, while costs can reach around 40 dinars when opting for higher-quality materials and options.
He pointed out that the availability of multiple price categories has given parents a wider scope for choice, especially since some families are preparing more than one student simultaneously. He added that demand is currently concentrated on uniforms and bags, alongside notebooks, pens, colors, and other essential tools.
For his part, Mohammed Al-Rifai, who works in a stationery shop inside one of the shopping malls, said that sales activity has started effectively but remains in its early stages. He expects it to gradually intensify as the students’ return approaches. He added that competition between bookstores, retail stores, and digital platforms is reflected in various school bundles and offers, some of which combine basic supplies at a single price, alongside discounts offered by cooperative societies. He emphasized that consumers have become more careful about comparing prices and quality before completing purchases.
**Joy of Return**
Away from the sales activity, the tour revealed clear relief among parents regarding the return to in-person education. Several of them confirmed that keeping their children away from school for the past period had affected details of their daily lives, making preparations for the new year extend beyond buying supplies to readjusting sleep schedules, household activities, and psychological readiness for the return to the classroom.
Saud Abdullah said his sons had lost a significant part of their daily routine during the suspension period. Sleep and wake-up times became irregular, and the time spent playing video games and using electronic devices increased, while physical activity and movement decreased. He added that returning to school would restore their discipline and give their days more value and organization.
For his part, Dr. Mohammed Abu Abdullah, a psychologist and parent, stated that prolonged absence from the school environment is not healthy for students from both psychological and social perspectives. He clarified that school is not limited to receiving lessons; it also provides students with a daily routine, direct interaction with peers and teachers, and opportunities for movement and participation.
He added that sleep disruption, excessive use of video games, and lack of activity were among the most prominent effects observed during the suspension period. He called on families to use the remaining days to gradually readjust their children’s schedules and prepare them for the return without sudden pressures.
Between the initial surge in demand and expectations of further increases, markets are preparing for a more active phase in the coming days as families complete their purchases and students approach their return to classrooms. This season represents not just a routine commercial movement, but accompanies the long-awaited return to in-person education and regular school life.
