Keeping up with retail and educational trends can be a challenge for college stores, especially without the right hardware and software. That’s why MBS Store Technology Solutions works tirelessly to ensure our store partners have the tools and resources they need to efficiently manage every aspect of their business in-store and online, from textbooks to merchandise.
In 2020, Erin McGonigle took over as Director of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Bookstore. Even after many years working in the campus store, there was still more to learn in her new position. One of her discoveries was the benefits of using Dashboard, an MBS system’s business intelligence tool.
You work hard to engage and encourage online shoppers to visit your website. The shopper loads up a virtual shopping cart, but then something happens before checkout is completed. What do you do next? Is that sales opportunity gone? Do you try to reach the shopper again?
In 2022, MBS welcomed 25 new Premier Partners and retained 99% of our existing partners. We are so grateful for every college store we work with. Thank you for placing your trust in MBS. We are proud to serve independent campus stores.
2023 is almost here. After this week, Foreword Online will be taking a short break. We will return on January 9, 2023, with more helpful stories. Let’s take a moment to look back at 2022 and all that we have learned.
Communication is key for increasing store foot traffic and market share. If customers don’t know about the fantastic bargains they can get in your store, then they might not think to shop with you. Email and text message alerts can be a great way to communicate store sales, promotions and events, but how can stores encourage more customers to sign up to receive email and text message alerts?
Chances are you have probably heard of SimpleSource — your store might even use it for ordering. The benefits of SimpleSource are undeniable. This ordering tool, designed to help college stores maximize their wantlist fulfillment with minimal effort, is free and available to all college stores. However, there are still a few things about SimpleSource that you might not know.
In a crowded market, what are the top competitive advantages college stores have? Online and locally new competitors are popping up for college stores. Everyone is vying for students’ attention and likely offering similar deals. However, independent college stores have some innate competitive advantages that can help you keep and expand your market share. Let’s take a look at some of the ways the MBS system helps you leverage your store’s advantages.
Topics: happy holidays
MBS will be closed on November 24 and 25 in observance of Thanksgiving.
Oregon State University Beaver Store decided to become an MBS Premier Partner this year for several reasons: providing students with options, cost-saving benefits, MBS’ commitment to college bookstores, the service and products MBS provides college stores, and more. We recently spoke with the Beaver Store’s Chief Academic Materials Officer James Howard (an almost 30-year veteran of the college store industry) about why the store decided to partner with MBS and how the industry is changing.
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