--- title: MBS Foreword description: Ideas, information and industry news for collegiate retailers --- - [Home](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com) - [View All Posts](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/all) - [Visit mbsbooks.com](https://www.mbsbooks.com/) [![MBS Foreword](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Foreword_Online/logos/fo-logo-whiteblue-400x87-nj-26080601.png?width=400&name=fo-logo-whiteblue-400x87-nj-26080601.png "MBS Foreword")](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com) # Ideas, information and industry news for collegiate retailers [![](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/hubfs/Foreword_Online/2026%20FO%20art/How-KPIs-Help-You-Spot-Trends-and-Drive-Action_FO-Header_Proof-v1_260917.jpg)](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/how-kpis-help-you-spot-trends-and-drive-action) ## [How KPIs Help You Spot Trends and Drive Action](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/how-kpis-help-you-spot-trends-and-drive-action) [![](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/hubfs/Foreword_Online/2026%20FO%20art/Timely-Adoptions-Start-with-Better-Conversations_FO-Header_Proof-v1_260911.jpg)](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/timely-adoptions-start-with-better-conversations) ## [Timely Adoptions Start with Better Conversations](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/timely-adoptions-start-with-better-conversations) [![](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/hubfs/Foreword_Online/2026%20FO%20art/streamline-affordable-access-programs-fo-26081001%20(1).jpg)](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/streamline-affordable-access-programs-with-mbs) ## [Streamline Affordable Access Programs With MBS](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/streamline-affordable-access-programs-with-mbs) ## [How KPIs Help You Spot Trends and Drive Action](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/how-kpis-help-you-spot-trends-and-drive-action) Posted by [Liz Schulte](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/author/liz-schulte) on 9/21/26, 6:30 AM Topics: [business intelligence](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/business-intelligence), [college retail system](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/college-retail-system), [retail data](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/retail-data) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential tools for measuring success, but numbers alone do not tell the whole story. While a KPI shows what happened, understanding trends helps explain why it happened and, most importantly, what to do next. [Read More](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/how-kpis-help-you-spot-trends-and-drive-action) ## [Timely Adoptions Start with Better Conversations](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/timely-adoptions-start-with-better-conversations) Posted by [Liz Schulte](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/author/liz-schulte) on 9/14/26, 6:30 AM Topics: [Faculty engagement with campus store](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/faculty-engagement-with-campus-store), [faculty textbooks adoptions](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/faculty-textbooks-adoptions), [course material trends](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/course-material-trends) As campus stores continue to modernize their operations and adopt new strategies, technology is playing an increasingly important role in improving efficiency, access, and convenience. But even as automation transforms the retail experience, one factor remains critical to success: relationships. [Read More](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/timely-adoptions-start-with-better-conversations) ## [MBS Will Be Closed Monday in Observance of Labor Day](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/mbs-will-be-closed-monday-in-observance-of-labor-day-1) Posted by [Liz Schulte](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/author/liz-schulte) on 9/4/26, 6:30 AM Topics: [holiday](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/holiday)  MBS will be closed Monday, September 7, 2026, in observance of Labor Day. [Read More](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/mbs-will-be-closed-monday-in-observance-of-labor-day-1) ## [Streamline Affordable Access Programs With MBS](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/streamline-affordable-access-programs-with-mbs) Posted by [Liz Schulte](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/author/liz-schulte) on 8/31/26, 6:30 AM Topics: [textbook affordability](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/textbook-affordability), [inclusive access](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/inclusive-access), [equitable access](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/equitable-access) Affordable Access programs are helping colleges and universities deliver course materials with greater convenience, affordability, and accessibility for students. While the benefits are clear, managing these programs can create administrative challenges for campus stores. [Read More](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/streamline-affordable-access-programs-with-mbs) ## [Margin-Friendly Promo Ideas That Drive Bigger Baskets and Repeat Customers](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/margin-friendly-promo-ideas-that-drive-bigger-baskets-and-repeat-customers) Posted by [Liz Schulte](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/author/liz-schulte) on 8/24/26, 6:45 AM Topics: [campus bookstore marketing](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/campus-bookstore-marketing), [college store retail management system](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/college-store-retail-management-system), [increasing bookstore sales](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/increasing-bookstore-sales) Discounting is often the first tactic retailers reach for when sales dwindle. However, deep discounts can quickly erode margins and train customers to wait for the next sale. Instead, create promotions that reward shopping behavior, encourage larger purchases, bring customers back more often, and help move aging inventory without sacrificing profitability. [Read More](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/margin-friendly-promo-ideas-that-drive-bigger-baskets-and-repeat-customers) ## [Pre-Rush System Readiness Checklist](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/reopening-strong-system-readiness-checklist) Posted by [Liz Schulte](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/author/liz-schulte) on 8/17/26, 6:30 AM Topics: [textbook rush](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/textbook-rush), [college retail system](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/college-retail-system), [college retail customer experience](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/college-retail-customer-experience), [MBS tools and resources](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/mbs-tools-and-resources) Before rush starts, we recommend taking time to verify critical store technology is operating as it should. Taking this step helps to prevent transaction delays, customer frustration, and operational disruptions throughout the busiest time of year. [Read More](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/reopening-strong-system-readiness-checklist) ## [Six Reasons Faculty Should Recommend the Campus Store](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/six-reasons-faculty-should-recommend-the-campus-store) Posted by [Liz Schulte](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/author/liz-schulte) on 8/10/26, 6:30 AM Topics: [communicating with faculty](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/communicating-with-faculty), [college store faculty relations](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/college-store-faculty-relations), [how to improve faculty communication](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/how-to-improve-faculty-communication) Faculty play an influential role in how students purchase their course materials. By regularly communicating your store’s value, you can help faculty understand why directing students to the bookstore is one of the best ways to support student success. [Read More](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/six-reasons-faculty-should-recommend-the-campus-store) ## [Get the Textbooks You Need Before Rush Starts](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/get-the-textbooks-you-need-before-rush-starts) Posted by [Liz Schulte](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/author/liz-schulte) on 8/3/26, 6:30 AM Topics: [ordering options](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/ordering-options), [textbook industry trends](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/textbook-industry-trends), [wholesale textbook ordering](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/wholesale-textbook-ordering) Late adoptions, enrollment shifts, and last-minute updates can leave your store searching for inventory on a tight timeline. That's where MBS can help. MBS offers a single source for both new and used textbooks, helping campus stores get the inventory they need when they need it most. [Read More](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/get-the-textbooks-you-need-before-rush-starts) ## [The Art of Prompting: How to Get High-Quality Results From AI Tools](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/the-art-of-prompting-how-to-get-high-quality-results-from-ai-tools) Posted by [Liz Schulte](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/author/liz-schulte) on 7/27/26, 6:30 AM Topics: [retail technology](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/retail-technology), [college store tech](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/college-store-tech), [campus bookstore marketing](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/campus-bookstore-marketing) The reality is simple: the quality of an AI's output is often directly related to the quality of the prompt it receives. Learning how to communicate effectively with AI can dramatically improve the relevance, accuracy, and usefulness of the results. [Read More](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/the-art-of-prompting-how-to-get-high-quality-results-from-ai-tools) ## [The Campus Store Advantage: Engaging Students Beyond the Transaction](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/the-campus-store-advantage-engaging-students-beyond-the-transaction) Posted by [Liz Schulte](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/author/liz-schulte) on 7/20/26, 10:00 AM Topics: [course materials](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/course-materials), [campus store point of service](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/campus-store-point-of-service), [communicating with students](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/communicating-with-students) As a new semester begins, campus stores have a unique opportunity to strengthen student engagement. Through clear communication, affordable course material options, transparency, and exceptional service, your store can become an indispensable resource for student success. [Read More](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/the-campus-store-advantage-engaging-students-beyond-the-transaction) [View All Posts](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/all) [Next Page](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/page/2) ### Subscribe for updates ### Share your experience [Contact our editorial team](mailto:mktgserv@mbsbooks.com?Subject=Foreword) to set up an interview or to contribute a guest post. ### Most popular posts ### Most popular topics - [college bookstore industry trends (60)](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/college-bookstore-industry-trends) - [campus bookstore marketing (29)](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/campus-bookstore-marketing) - [wholesale textbook ordering (28)](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/wholesale-textbook-ordering) - [textbook industry trends (27)](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/textbook-industry-trends) - [college bookstore system (24)](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/topic/college-bookstore-system) #### Contact MBS **Customer Service** 800-325-0530 cserv@mbsbooks.com **Order Processing** 800-325-0577 [![Go to mbsbooks.com](https://foreword.mbsbooks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Foreword_Online/logos/fo-mbs-logo-footer-240116-1.png?width=103&name=fo-mbs-logo-footer-240116-1.png "Go to mbsbooks.com")](http://www.mbsbooks.com/) #### Stay Connected With Us As MBS’ signature publication, Foreword is dedicated to offering daily industry insight and cutting-edge news that keep college retailers ahead of the curve. 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