It was the highlight of the Mays of my childhood, that annual trip to National Book Store just before another school year starts. Armed with lists of things we needed to buy, my parents, brother and I would navigate the bookstore’s aisles, weaving through crowds of families determined to accomplish the same task.
The changes in the contents of my cart reflected my academic growth. The pad paper with red and blue lines became intermediate pads, the pencils became ballpens, the Advance notebooks gave way to Corona spiral notebooks and eventually became Mead 5 Subject notebooks once I hit college and had the freedom to choose what I wanted to write in.
It was more than just shopping. The bags and bags of fresh supplies—books, folders, envelopes, highlighters, colored pens, art materials, all kinds of paper—signaled a fresh start, a chance to do better.
I remember running my hands through the crisp pages of my new notebooks (a feeling I still enjoy today), nervous and excited about what the year had in store for me.
It’s a feeling Xandra Ramos-Padilla, National Book Store’s Managing Director, knows too well. Socorro Ramos, who founded National Book Store with her husband 75 years ago, would bring Xandra and her other grandchildren to one of the bookstore’s branches for back-to-school shopping. “My Lola would treat us. We’d usually go to the Greenhills store,” Xandra said.
Now that she’s a mom, Xandra enjoys the tradition with her children. “Like many parents, I want to make my kids feel excited for the new school year. I ensure that back-to-school shopping would be a memorable experience for my kids. It’s more than just having new school supplies, it’s about learning new things, meeting new friends, and discovering new passions and interests. That’s why when we shop, we don’t only buy what’s required in school, we go beyond the checklist and look for materials that will complement their learning journey. “
This year, Xandra and her kids did their back-to-school shopping at National Book Store in Shangri-La Mall. “My son stuck to his checklist but my daughter had a lot of impulse items. She wanted all the colors of Sarasa pens in 0.3, some Pilot Frixion pens, several pouches. We got Maruman notebooks and she also got the Grab & Go packs, Project Kits and the notebook packs. My son got a Cars pencil case and I got them lunch boxes too. I got a Star Wars one for my son and a princess bento box for my daughter.”
Easy and convenient
Xandra knows the challenges parents and students face during back-to-school season so she and her team of merchandisers worked hard on making shopping as easy and as stress-free as possible for their customers. “We’ve really made National Book Store a one-stop back-to-school shop. Everything is here. We want to give our customers the best shopping experience, so we have prepared great deals and offers for them. For the budget conscious, we have Low Price Deals. These are items at just P20, P50, or P100 each. There are also Budget Bundles where you get savings or freebies, and Grab & Go packs which contain all the well-loved brands of school supplies. These make shopping easier because they don’t just help you save money, but time too. We have also arranged our stores to create convenient spaces where back-to-school shoppers can find what they’re looking for easily.”
These great deals are a big hit with moms who like preparing for school supply emergencies. “More and more moms stock up at home, they really build their own supply boxes. That’s why we sell Budget Bundles, so we can help you plan ahead.”
There are options to fit all kinds of budget. “If you want to treat yourself or your kids, we also have international brands like Caran d’Ache, Blackwing, Online and Kate Spade New York that offer unique school supplies at accessible prices.”
National Book Store doesn’t just offer books and school supplies. “We go beyond that, with all of the items kids need to learn and grow beyond the classrooms – everything from fun accessories, personal care, products and first aid kits. We are offering customers everywhere the complete back-to-school shopping experience.”
Shoppers can enjoy promos and freebies too. “You can get a backpack for just P100 with every P500 purchase. You can choose from five colors. And for every P1,000 purchase, you’ll get a handy tote bag for free. These have been National Book Store’s yearly back-to-school offer and our customers always look forward to them.”
National Book Store has over 220 branches nationwide, making it easy for people to find a store near them. “Anywhere our customers are, they can find us. We also offer online shopping via our website (www.nationalbookstore.com) and a delivery hotline (8888 NBS), so that people who don’t have the time to visit our stores can still shop at NBS. We offer unparalleled convenience, budget-friendly options, and a superb selection of items.”
For Xandra and her team at National Book Store, it’s more than just about selling. It’s helping equip generation after generation with tools for learning. “If you’re not sure what school supplies to get, you can find comprehensive and helpful checklists on our website or speak to our customer service specialists on the delivery hotline. Back-to-school season is not just for your kids. It’s an experience to be shared by the entire family. Visit National Book Store today and enjoy the endless discoveries waiting for you.”