Low purchasing power looms over back-to-school shopping season in Jordan

Low purchasing power looms over back-to-school shopping season in Jordan

AMMAN — As the new academic year approaches, students are preparing to return to their schools, while the commercial sector is anticipating an upswing in school supplies sales.

According to Ministry of Education spokesperson Ahmad Masa’fah, schools will reopen for the 2023-2024 academic year on August 20, while administrative staff will return on August 13, Al Mamlaka TV reported.

Over 2.25 million students from across the Kingdom are expected to start the new academic year, Masa’fah added.

Representative of the clothing, footwear and jewellery sector at the Jordan Chamber of Commerce Asaad Qawasmi told The Jordan Times that the commercial sector is expecting an uptick in market activity this month as parents begin to purchase school supplies.

“All necessary items are available in the local market,” Qawasmi said.

Prices of “back to school items” may vary based on the quality of the products, but overall, they are expected to remain similar to last year’s prices, he added.

Public school uniforms are domestically produced, and their prices vary depending on the quality, typically ranging from JD5 to JD10, Qawasmi said.

The estimated costs of school supplies per student, which include a school bag, uniform, shoes and a sports outfit, range from JD30 to JD40.

Sayed Kloub, who owns a