Physical Address
Indirizzo: Via Mario Greco 60, Buttigliera Alta, 10090, Torino, Italy
On the eve of the resumption of courses, Algiers looks like a real hive. In the large shopping arteries or even large shopping centers, the atmosphere resembles that of a party mixed with a frantic race. Parents, children and traders share the same ritual which, every end of summer, becomes a highlight of life. Between attractive promotions and tight budgets, families juggle their priorities to please their child in search of the latest sneakers or the ideal outfit that will make a sensation at the start of the school year.
From the end of the morning, the great arteries of Algiers fill up with families sometimes from far away. Cars, loaded with bags and boxes, are struggling to park. Collective buses and taxis pour waves of customers in popular markets. “We come from Boumerdès,” explains Independent youngFarida, mother of two children. “In Algiers, the choice is larger and we can compare prices between several stores. Even if it is tiring, it has become a habit for us each return to school ”.
Children linger in front of the school rays, amazed by the decorated models in the colors of their favorite heroes. The parents, for their part, carefully examine the labels, their eyes riveted on the figures and the mental calculator on the move.
For the youngest, these shopping days resemble a time of celebration. “Me, I want a satchel with the Avengers and a case that lights up,” exclaims Adam, 9, pulling his father’s round. Her sister Anaïs, a teenager, has other priorities. “What matters are Baggy jeans and white sneakers. Everyone will have it in high school this year, “she said with confidence.
Parents are approaching this period with much more severity. “I have three children in school,” sighs Khaled, a civil servant met in Didouche Mourad. “If I do the calculation, between supplies, satchels, clothes and shoes, I easily exceed 60,000 DA. It’s huge for a single salary ”. For her part, Samira, a mother of two, who came from Douera, confides in a sigh that “only for schoolbags and supplies, the bill has already exceeded 30,000 DA. And you still have to add clothes and shoes. It’s very difficult ”.
Other families have admitted to organize for several weeks to meet this seasonal expenditure. “We put aside little by little in June, without that, it would have been impossible. Back to school is like a second eid for us, ”says a father met in place Audin in front of the storefronts of a large brand.
For merchants, back to school is a fruitful period. The windows are adorned with posters announcing attractive discounts. Mourad, manager of a ready-to-wear shop in Bab El Oued, explains that it is a period when he works day and night. According to him, the most requested articles remain jeans for adolescents and school complexes.
In another store, a merchant addresses the important logistics that this implies, stressing that “we receive entire cargoes of scandal and sneakers. In two weeks, stocks disappear. We must constantly replenish to meet demand ”.
Aware of the importance of this period, traders compete in initiatives to attract customers. The windows display signs announcing discounts ranging from 10 to 30%. “We offer discounts on school complexes and Baggy jeans, which are in great demand by teenagers,” explains Mourad, manager of a ready-to-wear shop.
Prices that weigh heavy in budgets
Another trader, installed in Bab El Oued, adds: “Thanks to promotions, we have a strong crowd. Families sometimes come from Tipasa and Boumerdès to buy from us. This is a period when we work a lot, but it is also important for our turnover. »»
However, promotions are not enough to truly alleviate the financial burden of families. The prices displayed remain high and are not accessible to all budgets. On average, a budget of 10,000 to 20,000 DA per child is necessary. A pair of sneakers costs between 5,000 and 7,000 DA. A dress is sold between 3,500 and 5,000 DA. A complete set for children is around 7,500 DA. As for jeans, especially the Baggy models, in great demand, they reach 5,000 DA. The more affordable t-shirts are sold between 1,000 and 2,000 DA.
“Even looking for good deals, you cannot go below a certain threshold,” said Nadia, a teacher and mother of two. “We want to offer our children quality products, but that represents a real sacrifice. »»
For many families, the start of the school year is experienced as a collective test, but also as a compulsory passage. Abdelkader, taxi driver, laughs yellow. “It’s like a national holiday. Everyone talks about it, everyone is preparing for it and everyone gets a little bit to get there. »»
In the popular markets of Belcourt or Meissonnier, the trainers also participate in this effervescence. They offer articles at broken prices that appeal to the most modest families. “Here, we can always find something to dress children, even if the quality is not the same as in large shops,” explains a client accustomed to these markets.