Parents here say they are increasingly buying cheap, low quality school uniforms, bags, stationery and other supplies because of rising prices at established retailers.

Many have turned to popular “Two Riyal” stores to buy some of the items needed by their children for the second semester.

Saleh Al-Zahrani told Arab News that it appears these stores are making up for low sales over the two-week school holidays, knowing that there is greater demand at the start of the new semester.

Abdulrahman Al-Thanian, another parent, said he buys regularly at Two Riyal stores because of the cheap prices. He said owners of these stores want to make money now because there is greater demand.

Ali Al-Ghamdi said the cost of buying new school supplies have become a burden for parents at the beginning of each semester because prices are rising. He said these supplies are necessities and not luxury items. He urged the authorities to act against those merchants raising prices. He said every child needs about SR500 worth of school supplies at the start of every semester, which was taxing on the pockets of parents.

Saeed Khamis also called on the government to control prices, especially during end-of-season sales, when suppliers try to get rid of their stock.

Majed Atta said many parents buy at Two Riyal stores because of the low prices. They believe the poor quality products fulfill the same purpose as items that are more expensive.

Faisal Nafi’, a salesman of school supplies at a stationery store in Jeddah, said the beginning of the school semester is an excellent opportunity to make big profits. He admitted that prices are high at this time of the year, but said that the quality of the goods determines prices.

Ahmad Al-Shmaimri, a marketing expert, said many parents go to the Two Riyal stores because of the cheap prices. He said there are many of these stores in the Kingdom because investors have “played Saudi consumers skillfully.”