The college store industry is changing. From buyback to course material delivery, college stores must evolve to continue meet the needs of campus. We recently sat down with Kurt Kaiser, assistant director of textbooks at Colorado State University Bookstore, to discuss how their store has met new challenges and saved students more than $4.1 million.
Topics: graduation, bookstore events, college stores
It is that time of year again. Seniors are getting ready to take their final tests as undergraduates. The college store has been part of their higher education experience from their first year to their last. Make sure your college store is prepared to give these students the send off they deserve.
Topics: course materials, textbook delivery, textbooks
Located on the main campus of the University of Kansas, the KU Bookstore serves a large student population. As other stores closed and the online student population grew, KU Bookstore’s customer base ballooned. The sheer volume of people being directed to their store made it increasingly difficult to provide all students with the great service they expect. To help streamline the textbook purchasing process, the KU Bookstore made some changes to incentivize online ordering.
Research shows that students who feel a connection to their new school and other students during orientation are more likely to persist and graduate. With a national first-year retention rate of only 61%, colleges and universities can utilize orientation to help students develop that sense of fitting in and connection, which can lead to improved retention. Why is student orientation so important to student success and retention, and how does the University of Connecticut’s orientation program connect students to the University, its campus resources and fellow students.
Topics: college retail, college stores, student hunger
The Campus Store at the University of Utah has been making headlines lately with their Charity Round-up Program. In the five years the bookstore has been running the program, they have raised more than $54,000 for a wide range of campus organizations — just under $24,000 was raised in 2018.
Topics: college bookstore, Gen Z, college fan gear
College fan gear is a staple in student closets. Wearing logoed apparel to class, to run errands, to big game day events and even for a night out, Generation Z students want collegiate apparel that is versatile, affordable and comfortable. However, students also gravitate toward specific style trends. If they can’t find what they are looking for on campus, they will shop elsewhere.
Topics: college stores, gen z trends, gen z characteristics
Everything comes back in style. You have probably heard or even said this adage at some point in your life. From clothes to music to hairstyles, certain trends make their way back into the limelight time and time again. Right now, vintage fashions are experiencing a rebirth at the hands of Generation Z.
A while back, I had the opportunity to attend the ICBA conference in Jacksonville, Florida. I’d always been curious about the conference and how it differed from other industry events. As the Marketing Director for MBS, I knew the logistical requirements for exhibitors, but I really didn’t know what to expect from the sessions and presentations. I had heard great things and recently have witnessed ICBA’s membership explode. So, when given the opportunity to experience their meeting, I jumped at the chance.
Minnesota West Community College Bookstores used to distribute textbooks on three of their five campuses. However, as the course material industry and the campuses evolved, that method became less efficient. Coming together, the bookstores decided that a warehouse distribution model made the most sense for their students and campuses. We recently sat down with Worthington Campus Bookstore Manager Melissa Gehl to discuss their new textbook distribution process and how students and faculty have responded.
National Tartan Day is just around the corner. On April 6, proudly display your store’s plaid merchandise and encourage students to shop in your store by hosting a fun flash sale and scavenger hunt.
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