Trunk sellers count losses as SHS students embrace suitcases
Locally made metal trunk sellers in Accra say their businesses are going through a difficult period as more senior high school (SHS) students opt for suitcases, leaving traders with unsold stock.
Trunk sellers in Accra are facing a challenging period as more senior high school (SHS) students are opting for suitcases instead of traditional metal trunks. The shift in consumer preferences is attributed to changing trends, the inclusion of suitcases in school prospectuses, and the availability of school supplies on campuses.
A trunk seller who has been in the business for about a decade, Mr Victor Amankwa, reported that this year's sales have been poor, with only 20 trunks sold compared to over 50 in previous years. He noted that a medium-sized trunk, priced at GH¢200, is now considered old-fashioned by many young people who prefer suitcases for their modernity and ease of transport.
Some schools, such as PRESEC and Achimota School, still allow trunks, but the trend is shifting. Local production of trunks is also threatened by the decline in demand, as traders and producers are left with unsold stock in their warehouses. Mr Peter Anderson, another trunk seller, urged school authorities to reconsider including suitcases on school prospectuses, arguing that trunks remain a durable and reusable option.
Madam Serwaa Ampaafo, a trunk seller for 34 years, blamed school authorities for allowing the sale of school supplies on campus, which she believes is diverting customers away from traders. Suitcase sellers, while acknowledging the shift in student preferences, report that the change in demand has not significantly boosted their sales.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
