RM1 Swan bags sell like hot cakes at Kid’s Fair

KUALA LUMPUR: An offer by an exhibitor at Star Kids Fair 2010 attracted such a great crowd that MJ Boutique Sdn Bhd (Swan) ran out of bags that they were offering at cut-rate prices.

Parents and guardians who brought along their schoolgoing children were entitled to buy the RM39.90 Swan school bags at a special price of just RM1 for every child.

Swan chief operating officer Ron Ong said the discounted bags became one of the fair’s main attractions as more than 500 visitors flocked to the booth.

“Unfortunately, there were only 200 bags limited to the earliest customers. We have already sold 100 bags and we will be selling another 100 tomorrow (today),” said Ron.

He added that the first 100 bags were snapped up within 10 minutes and many visitors were left disappointed because they had waited so long in the queue.

Swan field manager Mohd Jahawari Yeopsohor said that visitors could still enjoy special discounts by being a Swan member for only RM10 a year.

“Members will enjoy a 10% discount on other Swan school bags and up to 50% off for water bottles, socks and other merchandise.”

Muhammad Isyraq Iman, seven, and his brother Muhammad Isyraf Iman, five, were thrilled that they managed to get their bags.

“I am really happy because I managed to buy the bag using my own money. I waited for more than half-an-hour before they started selling the bags,” said the Sekolah Rendah Al-Amin student who will be in Year Two next year.

Their aunt, Siti Azwani Ab Hadi, 26, who accompanied them, said the Star Kids Fair 2010 was a suitable event during the school holidays.

“It is never too early to shop for school stationery because it will encourage the children to look forward to the new school semester. This is a good way to motivate them,” said the SM Desa Tun Hussein Onn teacher.

Yesterday, parents seemed to be having as much fun as their children with the line-up of activities which included quilling, and arts and craft projects.

Some parents were hoping to instil the reading habit among their children through activities such as “Explore NiE”.

“This is a good opportunity for her to see how much she can learn from reading the newspapers,” said Philip Yuen, 35, about his daughter Yuen Siu Mei, seven.

Even the children came well-prepared. Eight-year-old Sabrina Chand had insisted that her parents bought her a set of colour pencils just for the fair.

Her mother, Sabiya Mohd Kassim, 40, said Sabrina loved drawing and colouring and was very excited to take part in the activities.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/11/28/nation/7516939&sec=nation