Space: it’s just one of those necessities that retail stores never seem to have enough of. So, how do you make do with less operational area? You just get creative of course, according to Rebecca Bowles, assistant manager at Randolph Macon College Bookstore.
After the city finished a major reconstruction on much of the street outside their location, The Duck Store at University of Oregon wanted to find a unique way to celebrate the changes. A mobile scavenger hunt, they decided, was the perfect solution! By combining text messaging with QR codes, Flock the Block offered the store the chance to host an interactive event unlike any other on the campus!
We understand that competitors have invaded your market share. That's why, as your ally in the industry, we created the Battle for Books webinar to offer you defensive strategies that you can use to overcome those e-tailers and rogue buyers. We believe, however, that there's often no better source for novel ideas than amongst your own colleagues, so we organized three of the most innovative collegiate retailers to share their experiences with you. This week, we'll take a look back at some of the highlights!
Incoming students are an all-important demographic for collegiate retailers to capture for future sales. That’s why University Book Store at University of Wisconsin - Madison created a fun way to connect with them during their first weeks on campus.
With a fan base of over 20,000 on Facebook and nearly 2,500 followers on Twitter, The University Co-Op at University of Texas is definitely doing something right! But, how have they generated such a response from students and alumni alike? Put simply: they asked!
Every semester, students receive a letter grade measuring their progress and success in various classes. Stacy Elofir, director of University Store at Towson University, believes college stores should be no exception.
A social media presence is a must. But simply creating accounts for your store on these sites doesn’t cut it anymore. Each week, we’ll explore a new way your store can enhance their online presence in our Social Media Series to make sure you’re taking full advantage of these interactive outlets.
With technology at their fingertips and their nose to their phone, it can be challenging to get students to look up every once and awhile. That’s why Sheila LaFerney, coordinator of textbooks and general merchandise at Oklahoma City Community College Bookstore, decided to get creative.
From working summers with his father at the college bookstore at the age of 13 to newly appointed Vice Chancellor of Auxiliary Services and Enterprise Operations at the San Mateo County Community College District, Tom Bauer has truly seen the collegiate retail industry evolve throughout his career.
In order to succeed in the competitive college store industry today, you need to not only have the necessary tools, but also the knowledge of how to use them. Just like your student customers, you should be continually learning.
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