COMMERCIAL establishments selling school-related products ahead of the new academic year have shown strong compliance with pricing regulations, with inspectors reporting no major violations to date.
Around 60 businesses have signed up for the Consumer Friend initiative, which aims to support shoppers, including citizens and expats, in creating a fair business environment with affordable pricing.
As part of the campaign, launched by the Industry and Commerce Ministry’s Consumer Protection Directorate, many shops in Bahrain are offering special discounts on a variety of school products including stationery, school bags, uniforms, electronics devices, and more.
A ministry official confirmed to Bahrain TV that the drive will continue until November, though an exact date was not mentioned.
The campaign, now in its third edition, is an opportunity for businesses to earn trust and build a relationship with the members of the community, and offers a chance to help families in Bahrain.
Inspectors are out in full force to ensure that participating establishments are not only adhering to the discounts, which should be at least 10 per cent, but also to check on the quality of products being sold.
Ms Al Hayki
Directorate inspector Mariam Al Hayki highlighted the importance of the back-to-school period to the ministry and families alike.
“We have covered a large number of shops across the country that sell school supplies and stationery items,” she said.
“Our goal is to inspect the legitimacy of the offers and discounts that come as part of the initiative, and ensure stores are adhering to the pricing regulations.
“There will also be a crackdown on anti-consumer practices such as price gouging and other activities that negatively affect the competitiveness of the market.”
The Consumer Friend initiative was first launched by the Industry and Commerce Ministry in 2023 in partnership with the kingdom’s commercial sector.
Its aim is to support consumers in Bahrain during the back-to-school season, which the ministry considers to be an important one for shoppers.
Discounts of at least 10pc and special offers are applied to 10 to 15 school-related products every year as part of the initiative, which is open to all commercial establishments across the kingdom.
The general reception from both consumers and businesses has been very positive, and almost 60 establishments are involved this year. The entire list of participants can be found on moic.gov.bh.
Mr Al Mahmood
Inspector Omar Al Mahmood stated that a campaign to raise awareness among consumers and businesses is underway, and it is paying dividends so far.
“We are proud to say that we have seen a very high rate of adherence this year,” he said.
“So far, we have not recorded any major violations, and even if do you uncover them down the road, they will be dealt with swiftly and decisively by the directorate.”
Ms Abdulaal
Consumer Protection director Entisar Abdulaal reaffirmed that the Consumer Friend initiative will continue to support Bahraini and expat families in the kingdom until November.
“Discounts and reduced prices will remain the same throughout the period of the programme,” she said.
“All school necessities will be included such as stationery, school bags, eyeglasses, food items and uniforms.”
Thousands of primary, intermediate and secondary students in government schools will return to their classes on Wednesday, as the 2025-2026 academic year starts.
School necessities are on discount as part of the initiative
Ahead of the new academic year, the Education Ministry has completed reviewing facilities at educational institutions including maintenance work and installing energy-efficient air conditioners in classrooms.
A total of 5,000 new air conditioning units were installed in schools across the country, while a fleet of buses including new vehicles were ready to transport hundreds of students.
Buses have also been allocated by the ministry for special needs students.
Recently, around 100 backpacks were donated to the A’ali Social Charity Society as part of a back-to-school initiative.
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