Ideas, information and industry news for collegiate retailers

As course materials become increasingly complicated, the overall student experience during rush can influence how they see the campus store. Some students see the crowds and immediately decide to order online. Others brave the rush only to become frustrated when they can’t find what they need and have to wait in line for help. Recently, we spoke with several stores that have implemented textbook counter service to improve the student experience in their stores. 

Oklahoma State University's University Store has a smart approach to fostering student loyalty: an expert technology department, OrangeTech, with free services like repair and 3D printing. Any student in need of computer repair or assistance can find a tech-savvy associate on hand. For 3D printing, customers pay a minimal charge for materials but nothing for the processing and expertise. OrangeTech’s services give University Store an edge over off-campus retailers — and inspire customer allegiance.

Campus store customers want personalized shopping. Research shows the demand for connected shopping experiences has never been higher among consumers worldwide. Unsurprisingly, millennial and Gen Z shoppers are the most likely to expect retailers to use data in ways that make their retail experience convenient and memorable. 

Students at community colleges often face a variety of challenges. From balancing work life, school life and family life to weathering financial hardships and covering living expenses, many students are one unplanned hurdle away from not being able to finish their degree. Campus resources that offer students academic or nonacademic lifelines can be the extra boost they need to make it through the week, the month, the year or all the way to graduation. Recently, Normandale Community College offered its students one such lifeline that showed how much their school and community cares about one another.

As a campus store professional, you’ve probably noticed a defining characteristic of Gen Z students: They care about the world. These young people are tuned into what’s happening, and they want to make a difference. One way campus stores can foster that drive is to draw on your connection with the larger community. Become a hub that introduces students to local volunteer opportunities.

The Monroe Community College Bookstore in New York identified an opportunity to streamline students’ rush experience. In the 2018 fall term, they made two major changes to how they handled textbooks in their store: they reorganized their shelves by author and they switched to clerk service. Recently, we sat down with Book Store Manager Charli Suter and Textbook Manager Darren Kwiatkowski to discuss what led to this change and how it has helped improve the student customer experience.

When you are shopping, does an advertisement you saw online entice you to buy more than talking to a friend who tells you about a great sale or deal they found? Probably not. Students, like any shoppers, want to know they are getting high-quality merchandise for a fantastic price, but in the world of retail marketing, everyone claims their products are the best and that they are giving you the deal of a lifetime. Naturally, firsthand experiences are easier to trust.

The CU Book Store is known for their innovation and success in reducing course material costs for students. In 2015, the store won the NACS Collegiate Retailer of the Year, and the 2017, it won ICBA’s MVP Store. Recently, the Assistant Director, Academic Resource Support, Jason Katzman decided to try MBS’ new ordering tool SimpleSource.

I just wrapped up my first course using inclusive access, and I have a plea for collegiate retailers: Spread the word about inclusive access. If you can, you’ll have an enormous impact on student lives.

Central Washington University Wildcat Shop noticed there was a problem with their student customer service during rush. Large crowds congested the aisles, and lines of students waiting for help made it difficult to maneuver through the stacks. Looking for ways to alleviate the problem, they switched to counter service.