Parents are spending less at bookstores because of the uncertainty over the physical reopening of schools in September and the financial hardships caused by covid19.

This was the view shared by managers at four bookstores that Newsday visited on Tuesday.

The manager of Charran’s Bookstore in Chaguanas, Vishnu Charran, told Newsday that people have been shopping but sales have been slow.

He added, “We are not seeing the flow of traffic that we’d normally see (at this time of year).

“I think coming up to the last minute, you are going to see a lot of people coming to shop when they are certain that schools will reopen (physically) in September."

But Charran thinks the slow sales are also a result of people spending less owing to the financial hardships caused by covid19.

[caption id="attachment_906491" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Vishnu Charran, manager of Charrans's Booktore in Chagauanas. - Photo by Marvin Hamilton[/caption]

“People don’t have much disposable income, because a lot of people are still unemployed.”

While Charran said the store has experienced a few increases in prices to restock inventory, he said it will not pass any additional restocking costs onto customers.

So customers shouldn’t expect any price hikes at the store.

“Every time new inventory comes, prices are changing, so we are always examining bills when they come from suppliers. (But) if new inventory comes in and we find the price gets a bit high, we maintain our regular prices, because we understand the (financial) situation.”

Close to Charran’s Bookstore is Boysie and Korisha’s Variety Store.

When it comes to the pace of sales at the store’s bookstore section, one worker told Newsday that people have been pricing items but are hesitant to buy anything until they know when schools will reopen.

The manager of Nigel R Khan Bookseller at C3 Centre in San Fernando, Geeta Kubairsingh, estimated sales had decreased by as much as 70 per cent. During Newsday’s visit to the store, there was only one customer.

To Kubairsingh, this has become the new norm.

[caption id="attachment_906490" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Nigel R khan, store manger at C3 Centre, Geeta Kubairsingh told Newsday on Tuesday that sales are slow because of the uncertainty surrounding the physical reopening of schools in September. - Photo by Marvin Hamilton[/caption]

“Normally, the store would be packed, but sales are not what they were prior to covid. Because of that, restocking is not as fast as it used to be,” said Kubairsingh.

Apart from slow sales, Kubairsingh said customers are now more frugal when spending.

“Customers would look at the cost of different items and compare because they are looking for value of money as well.

“People can’t help being frugal at this point in time because the majority of people, with loss of income and everything, are being thrifty.”

As an example, Kubairsingh showed Newsday the store’s pen