Back to school rush hits Durban CBD
With schools re-opening tomorrow, scores of parents have been doing some last minute stationery and uniform shopping in the Durban CDB.
According to GEM School Wear Director Ahmed Pandor, for some, the last minute rush began as early as 05.30am today at their Pine Street branch with customers already queuing outside before they opened.
Pandor says they were fully prepared for the influx of shoppers, erecting fencing outside the shop to control the line.
"We have that as a safety precaution, otherwise, everybody will just rush into the shop and we won't be able to serve them as how we are now. This works out very well," he said.
Meanwhile some stock at Alert Stationers, including dictionaries, has begun running out.
The shop’s Anash Bridgmohan says this year, fewer parents did their shopping before schools closed in comparison to previous years and more opted to fill up school bags at the beginning of this month instead.
"The reason for us not having stock is that suppliers don't have stock on hand to give us. Due to the demand that we had, stocks are going out at a very fast rate and it's very difficult for us to replenish these stocks," he said.
(Photos: Anelisa Kubheka)