Rainy season rush and school-ready smiles as prices dip in Dakshina Kannada

With schools in Dakshina Kannada set to reopen on May 29 and June 2, there’s a renewed buzz in markets as families gear up for the academic year. Parents and children are on the hunt for school uniforms, bags, notebooks, pens, and essential rain gear like umbrellas, raincoats, and waterproof shoes—indispensable for the region’s monsoon climate.

A wave of relief has washed over parents this year, with shopkeepers noting a 15–20% drop in prices of stationery and books. Karthik Pai of Karthik School Books and Stationers shared that prices had soared post-Covid, but increased competition among sellers has brought them down. “A notebook that cost ₹27 is now ₹22, and a pen priced at ₹7 is now available for ₹5,” he noted. However, he also observed that footfall is lower this year, likely due to continuous rainfall.

Rain gear is flying off the shelves, with Santosh Mario D’Souza of AR D’Souza and Sons noting that students are now making their own choices when it comes to bags and umbrellas, a shift from earlier when parents made most of the selections.

Meanwhile, prices of school uniforms have held steady. Yeshwanth Raval of Saurashtra Cloth Stores confirmed no change in fabric costs compared to last year.

Some parents have postponed shopping due to rain delays. “We hope to finish everything before school begins,” said Anjana Shenoy, shopping with her young son.

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