‘Value brands’ for students

I ALWAYS knew when it was time to go back to school after summer holidays without even looking at the calendar. It was an all-too-familiar feeling.

The sun started setting earlier, there was a chill in the air and the musty smell of dying leaves signalled summer was about to pass and autumn was to begin.

However, I quickly settled into the routine and got out my permanent marker to commence the gruelling task of labelling my school supplies. Ughhh! So, when I stepped into Geant Hypermarket in Sanabis to check out their promotions I couldn’t help but notice the same school supplies I used as a kid, timeless and universal in necessity.

Best Deals: BD1 for ‘back to school’ gift sets for boys and girls.

BIC Colour Pencil 14+4 free at only BD1
Stabilo Mini Monster Highlighter, five pieces for only BD 1.550
Falcon Nature Study Copybook, 36L at BD .200
3M Post-its 125-sheet BD1

Don’t miss the Geant ‘back-to-school’ colouring contest running until September 3 for children aged 2-12. Prizes will be awarded on September 12 and 13.

I decided this week that I would try and visit all the popular stores that carried ‘value brands’ and would have a good selection of back-to-school items.

While at Mothercare in Centrepoint I was completely astounded at their selection and price of licensed trademark products which included trolleys, backpacks, lunchboxes and matching supplies starting at only BD2.500.

Believe me I understand when you have a child obsessed with a football team, or character from a movie and you end up finding yourself in the shop looking for anything that remotely resembles the icon.

At Centrepoint you are bound to find their favourites thanks to the massive stock and variety.

When spending BD15 and above on back-to-school items at Mothercare you will receive a free 67-piece colouring set.
 
Since I was already in Oasis Mall I popped into Max Fashion. Their ‘back-to-school’ campaign features exclusive collections like ‘Charmed Kitty’ and ‘Phineas and Ferb’. I bought my son Kieran a Disney ‘Planes’ snack box for only BD3.500 and he was so happy he started using it to hold his toys.

Thanks to my colleague Bambi’s stealthy ‘best bargain’ hunting I was able to get a scoop on what Megamart had to offer. As the endless prices and images rolled onto my phone on Thursday night I was pleased I had a real shopping accomplice. They have uniforms, school supplies and bags.

Best deal: School shoes starting at only BD2.

You won’t be disappointed at Red Tag either because not only are they clearing their summer products starting at BD1.900, they also have a smashing ‘back-to-school’ section. Backpacks like Ben 10 and Disney Princess starting at BD11.900 and all sorts and sizes of school uniforms, socks and shirts for the price and quality Red Tag is famous for.

I can’t end this feature without discussing my Home Electronics visit.

Thanks to my lovely friend Bernadette Lim-Dones I was directed immediately to their ‘back-to-school’ promotion on laptops. Lenovo IdeaPad U410 Ultra Book now BD249.990 regularly priced at BD299.990.

Hurry because there is a limited stock. Dell Inspiron 15R Laptop for BD229.900 - once priced at BD275.900, HP650 Laptop for BD154.990, down from BD189.900 and finally a Toshiba C850 now BD229.900, down from BD246.900.

If you were thinking about getting your child a new laptop before school starts, now is the time.

Details of above:
Back-to-school promotions –Geant - ending September 3
Mothercare - until stocks last
Megamart - ending September 10
Red Tag - ending September 3
Home Electronics - from today to September 15

Other deals I’m privy to: Lifestyle - Lunch kit on purchase of BD20 or lunch kit + pencil box on purchase of BD25
Shoemart - Free alarm clock with every purchase of school shoes & bags