Shopping spree Parents and children are getting ready for the new academic year.

A family selecting an umbrella for their young son at a shop at High Road yesterday. By Faris Arakkal ROSE wants a small umbrella with red dots while Reshma needs the transparent pink one. With only one more week left for the schools to ring the long bell, all the shops in the city are witnessing brisk sale. Bags and umbrellas are most needed. Most of the shops at High Road are crowded in the evenings with parents busy selecting the best for their kids. It's again a Chinese revolution in the school market. From pen to umbrella, there are varieties of Chinese products in the market. Umbrellas with sceneries, club logos and various funny designs are the fashion this time. Small pocket umbrellas and ordinary size Chinese ones have been introduced. Last year's hit, nano umbrellas, are also available in the market. An umbrella costs around Rs 300. School bags Diesel and Scoobee Day are in great demand. "Most kids now walk into shops asking for particular brands,"says a shopkeeper. More straps and pockets are the characteristic feature of the bags in demand. One side bag is simply gone now. The school kit, which includes water bottles, is available in fluorescent and transparent styles. The city is all ready to accomplish the taste and choice of the kids. But parents are yet to turn up. Hence, shopkeepers are waiting for the rush next week.