Makkah School Supply Markets See Sales Surge

School supply markets, bookstores, and stationery shops across Makkah are reporting a noticeable rise in sales activity as the 1448 / 2026 academic year begins, driven by families stocking up on essentials for returning students.

Retailers say footfall and transactions have climbed well above off-season levels, with demand concentrated on stationery, notebooks, backpacks, pencil cases, lunch boxes, and water bottles. The busy period coincides with promotional pricing at major supermarket chains through mid- to late-August 2026.

What shoppers are paying

Discounted items on offer include branded children's backpacks at around 62.99 SAR (down from about 89 SAR), pencil bags at around 4.99 SAR (from about 7 SAR), and lunch box and water bottle sets at around 13.99 SAR (from about 18 SAR). Rectangular lunch boxes are priced near 24.99 SAR (from about 29 SAR), while 80-sheet notebooks are around 3.99 SAR (from about 5 SAR).

Online and national retail chains serving Makkah list exercise books of 60–80 sheets at roughly 1.99–4.00 SAR, small glue sticks at about 2.50–4.99 SAR, and book and table covers at around 5.75–12.00 SAR depending on size and quantity. Several online platforms are also running back-to-school campaigns with discounts of up to 70–85% on school clothes, backpacks, and student essentials.

For families in Makkah, the seasonal competition means more choice and lower prices. Market analysis points to steady, moderate growth in Saudi Arabia's school stationery sector into the late 2020s. Buying remains straightforward: purchases are made through physical markets, supermarkets, bookstores, and online retailers using standard payment methods, with no special registration or permit steps required for ordinary shoppers.

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