School Resumption: Parents Step Up Shopping

As September 7 approaches, parents across Douala are in­ tensifying their back-to-school shopping, searching for eve­ rything their children will need to return to school. Markets and supermarkets, bookshops alike have seen steady activity as families prepare text and exercise, uniforms, school bags, pens and pencils, and other essentials for the 2026/2027 school year. For many parents the shopping season began at the beginning of the month of August while others are still waiting for Au­ gust salary to start shopping. Parents are balancing work schedules with time needed to do shopping, and complete book lists provided by schools. Most traders say demand for school items is rising daily. “People are coming earlier and buying more items at once”, said Ketchetang Robert library owner in Douala. He added that most books on the official book lists are available. Abel Ndianeh said he was trying to control spending by purcha...