With one week to go before schools reopen for the new year, parents have been flocking to shopping malls and the CBD to purchase school uniforms and stationery despite the exorbitant 10 percent hike.
Prime Store Manager, in Dr Yusuf Dadoo (Grey) Street, Ifthakar Haniff, said parents began purchasing uniforms before Christmas but they were expecting the store to get busier over the weekend with last minute shoppers.
“Compared to last year’s prices there has been an estimated 10 percent increase on uniforms and stationery, but this increase has not deterred parents from spending,” said Haniff.
He added depending on the size, parents would pay R43.99 for a white dress, boys’ shirts start at R29.99, boys’ grey pants at R69.99, girls’ white pants at R44.99, school shoes at R49.99 and a jersey at R53.99.
Calculators
“With regard to stationery, pens are priced at R7.99 a pack, pencil cases at R16.99, glue stick at R24.99, calculators at R9.99 just to name a few,” said Haniff.
Father of two Theo Vurden said he had to fork out R700 for uniforms alone for both his children aged five and seven.
“We are still waiting for the school to supply us with the stationery list, which could amount to an additional R500,” said Vurden.
He added he also had to budget for the school registration fee and add additional school fees for the year.
Shoron Sobranomy said her five-year-old son would be entering school for the first time and she had to cough up approximately R1 500 for his uniforms, stationery and school bags.
Keroshia Ramsamy, 17, said she was still shopping around but purchased two school dresses at R160 each.
“Things are very expensive compared to the previous years.
“I am still shopping around for a bag and so far the prices are steep.
“My parents also need to purchase my stationery and text books. We are looking at over R1 500,” said Keroshia.
Regional manager of Nu Shop in Phoenix, Amin Karrim, said the store had experienced a 10% and 5% price hike in school dresses and boys’ uniforms respectively.
“A full set of uniform costs approximately R120 for boys and R150 for girls depending on the size,” said Karrim.
He added depending on size a white dress was priced from R39.99, boys’ shirts from R25.99, grey pants at R49.99, white pants at R39.99, jerseys from R69.99, and school shoes from R69.99.