DAR ES SALAAM: PARENTS and guardians have engaged in a last-minute shopping frenzy ahead of schools reopening next week, as predicted by school supplies vendors.
Many are now crowding various shops around Dar es Salaam, hoping to complete all their requirements, making this week busier than usual, with several spending more than their initial budget.
Recently, vendors from three markets of Kariakoo, Tandika and Buguruni said business activity is expected to peak this week, as many parents and guardians typically wait until the last minute to make their purchases.
A ‘Daily News’ spot survey in several streets around those markets found long queues of parents and guardians at bookshops, stationery stores and shops selling uniforms and shoes, all scrambling to secure school essentials.
Items such as school uniforms, metal trunks, exercise books, pens and textbooks are in high demand, leading to a surge in purchases.
Mr Bhoke Matiku, a school uniform vendor in Kariakoo, said that demand have skyrocketed in the final week as customers rush to complete their shopping.
“Many customers are coming in now, and this lastminute rush happens every year—it’s just how people operate.
“We’re happy because this is our busiest period, but we’re also seeing an increase in bargaining as customers complain about the high prices of school uniforms,” he said.
Similarly, Mr Hassan Masha, a vendor selling metal trunks in Tandika market, said that customers waiting until the last days benefits vendors but hurts buyers due to inflated prices.
“Towards the last days before schools reopen, the number of customers surges. It’s good for us vendors, but it’s a burden for buyers because the prices are a little bit higher,” said Mr Masha.
For customers, this week has been particularly challenging as prices for school supplies have risen significantly, leaving many struggling to meet their needs.
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Exercise books that cost 1,000/- two weeks ago are now priced at 1,200/-.
A counter book quire two, now costs 2,000/- up from 1,800/- while quire three counter books are now priced between 2,500/- and 3,000/-. Similarly, quire four books have risen to 4,000/- from 3,500/- sold last January.
The price of ballpoint pens has also increased with a dozen now selling for 5,500/- compared to 4,000/- last January while pencils have also risen from 1,500/- to between 2,500/- and 3,000/- per dozen.
Additionally, school uniform prices have also seen a steep increase with shirts that cost 8,000/- last year now selling for 12,000/-.
Skirts and shorts, previously priced between 4,000/- and 8,000/- now range from 5,000/- to 10,000/-. Ms Irene Samba, a resident of Veterinary, Temeke revealed she has already spent over 50,000/- on school uniform fabric and shoes alone and she has yet to purchase exercise books, pens and other necessities.
“January is always hectic because many of us overspend during the holiday season.
“As school reopening approaches, we start scrambling to ensure our children are ready,” she said. She added, “I’ve begged for discounts, but I still feel like I’m spending too much. For instance, this bag was initially 28,000/- and after bargaining, I got it for 18,000/- — but even that feels expensive.”
Similarly, Ms Ashura Kibwana, a resident of Buza kwa Lulenge, admitted she has been unable to complete her shopping after exhausting her funds over the past few days.
She acknowledged that waiting until the last minute has cost her. “I have three children. I’ve finished shopping for two, but I still have one left. “I will need to take a breather and return to the market on Thursday.
Honestly, I hate waiting until the last minute,” she added.
