Junior Class Store Sales Challenges

 

By Jia Yi Sim

Restrictions from the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) that began in the June of 2020 have caused a slowdown in numerous businesses, one of them being Dalat’s Junior Class Store.

The MCO prevented the store from operating after school, which has generated the most income for the juniors in the past. Right now, juniors are stuck selling snacks in between classes, and the store only actively operates for about 15 minutes a day. Such a narrow window of time makes it difficult for the store to collect large amounts of income each day. 

Helen Jang, a member of the junior class office, voices her concerns about their sales: “We had a head start because last year’s juniors donated many goods to us, but with the restrictions of MCO, I am worried that we will not earn as much money as we hope to.”

For many years, working in the Junior Class Store has served as the long-awaited experience for juniors. Spending long days after school in the store can be tiring, but jamming to music with friends, scooping ice cream for enthusiastic elementary schoolers, and counting the money after work provide immense amounts of satisfaction. Restrictions on the store have currently removed such opportunities for the juniors, but these students are looking for other ways to boost their income and enjoy the full experience of working in the store. They are currently exploring some different options such as selling drinks and freezies during snack time, which has not been done before. The juniors are also looking to lengthen the store’s operating hours.   

Regarding the shortened operating hours of the store, student Cecelia Sheng offers a solution: “I hope we can sell snacks in the store during lunch so that we can sell for a longer amount of time and earn more money while satisfying the sugar cravings of hangry students.”

Granted, the COVID-19 crisis and Movement Control Order have lowered the sales of the Junior Class Store, but they certainly have not lowered the juniors’ enthusiasm and hope for their store. Challenges will arise, and juniors must learn to adapt to the ever-changing circumstances. However, if they persevere and maintain a diligent attitude, only success will await them.