Return to in-person education brings boost to school supplies sector

AMMAN — The stationery and school supplies sector has witnessed remarkable activity during the past two days, coinciding with the return of students to schools, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

The head of the Stationery, Libraries and Office Equipment Dealers and Manufacturers Syndicate, Ashraf Kawar, said that stationery sales during the back-to-school season amounted to nearly 40 per cent more than the sales of previous years, Petra reported.

Kawar pointed out that despite the high costs of sea freight, prices are around their normal rates: “The libraries provided school supplies at low prices, offers and discounts. Some items were sold at high prices, due to the merchants' need for liquidity and to encourage students’ parents to buy.” 

Hashem Al Basha, an owner of a library in Amman, indicated that school supplies sales have increased immensely since the beginning of August: “The demand for stationery and school supplies has tripled compared with last year when school was online,” he told The Jordan Times on Wednesday.

Khaled Nasir, also a library owner in Amman, noted that this year’s August revenues were 80 per cent higher than last year’s.

 “Our sector suffered great losses due to the pandemic. This year’s sales will help us recover,” Nasir told The Jordan Times.

Nasir noted that even university students came to buy supplies, “they are very enthusiastic to go back to in-person education,” he said.