Sales at Abu Riyalain (SR2 shops), the chain of discount stationery shops, have increased tremendously with the start of the new academic year.

Saad Al-Khalidi, the owner of a stationery shop in Jeddah told Arab News that “sales of stationery and back-to-school supplies typically thrive at the beginning of each new school year, allowing stores to compensate for low sales activity during the summer holidays.”

He said the competition between large bookstores and smaller stationery shops like the Abu Riyalain outlets intensifies at the start of each academic year, noting that most customers are attracted to the lower prices.

“Our shops purchase the products from both local and non-local companies, which are all well-known for their high quality,” he said.

Salem Abdullah, a regular customer at Abu Riyalain shops in Jeddah said, “I prefer these shops due to the increasing prices of back-to-school stationery at larger shops and book stores, as these take advantage of shoppers by offering the same products each year but at much higher prices.”

He said the Abu Riyalain shops provide discounts on their products, as well as free gifts to shoppers, especially children, unlike the larger outlets.

As for the price value of products offered at Abu Riyalain, Abdullah said they are very reasonable, particularly for large families who need to purchase more notebooks and stationery, bag packs, and clothing items each year.

“Shopping at the Abu Riyalain shops helps reduce our financial burden,” he said.

Um Yousuf, another customer, said, “I have a large family. I cannot afford to spend exorbitant amounts of money on school supplies each year. So I prefer the Abu Riyalain shops.

Ibtisam Al-Malki, a university student, said the spike in prices of stationery at the larger bookshops and stores encourages more students to purchase their necessities from the Abu Riyalain outlets, especially as the items on offer are exactly the same in quality, but at much lower prices.