The local retail sector is seeing a strong seasonal boost as families step up spending on school uniforms, bags, stationery and electronic devices ahead of the start of the new academic year.
Bookshops, shopping centres and retailers have reported increased footfall over the recent days, as parents seek to complete their children’s school requirements before classes begin.
Many families have accompanied their children to the market to choose their bags, stationery colours and designs, adding to the lively atmosphere across retail outlets.
Some sales representatives said the final days of the summer holiday have brought a noticeable increase in demand, making the back-to-school period one of the key retail seasons of the year.
A wide range of products at different price points, combined with local and imported options, is helping retailers attract consumers across different budget segments.
School uniforms are among the most sought-after products, with retailers expanding dedicated sections offering approved colours and sizes, alongside school shoes and sportswear.
Some stores are also promoting multi-item packages and seasonal discounts to encourage larger purchases.
It has been noticed that many parents are increasingly looking for uniforms that balance quality, comfort and durability, particularly given the high temperatures during the early months of the academic year.
Lightweight and breathable fabrics are therefore attracting considerable interest.
School bags are another major sales category, with retailers offering extensive collections featuring contemporary designs and popular characters, superheroes and football stars.
Lightweight and durable models with multiple compartments are particularly popular, as parents look for practical designs that can accommodate books, notebooks and school supplies without placing excessive weight on students.
Meanwhile, promotional bundles have been enhancing sales, with some retailers offering free lunch boxes or water bottles with selected bags.
Such offers can reduce the overall cost of purchasing school essentials separately and provide an additional incentive for families.
Stationery has also recorded strong demand, covering notebooks, pens, pencils, colours, rulers, erasers, sharpeners and cases for organising school supplies.
Notebooks remained among the strongest-selling items in spite of introducing more digital tools to learning.
A high-quality 80-page notebook is priced at around QR12, while a pack of 12 60-page notebooks is available for approximately QR14, bringing the cost per notebook to around QR1.50.
However, the growing role of technology in education is reshaping back-to-school spending.
Retailers are promoting tablets, laptops and printers, with instalment plans and buy-now-pay-later services helping families spread the cost of larger purchases.
Some companies are also offering educational bundles that combine devices with software and learning applications.
Educational games that blend learning with entertainment are another emerging category, reflecting the increasing use of digital tools to support students’ skills and engagement.
The expansion of technology-related purchases is giving retailers an additional revenue stream during the traditionally busy back-to-school period, while payment plans are making higher-value products more accessible to households managing multiple school-related expenses.
