Increasing in-store traffic and web traffic are essential to expanding the store’s market share and reintroducing students to the benefits of shopping locally. So, how can your store effectively expand its reach now and in the future?
Increasing in-store traffic and web traffic are essential to expanding the store’s market share and reintroducing students to the benefits of shopping locally. So, how can your store effectively expand its reach now and in the future?
A student goes online to check her schedule for the upcoming term. She clicks on the registrar’s link which takes her directly to the college store site and prepopulates the online shopping cart with her required course materials. After reviewing the contents of the shopping cart, she selects in-store pickup to avoid shipping costs and checks out. The whole experience was easy, and she never once had to wait in line. She arrives in the bookstore on the designated date and time to pick up her order — ready to start a new term. This is a reality more and more students are experiencing. However, what goes on behind the scenes at the college store to make this possible?
What advantages set the campus store apart from its competitors? Campus stores have direct access to students, exclusive channels of communication, the largest variety of payment methods, more innate trust and a mission that extends beyond retail. Let’s take a look at the five specific ways your store can build student engagement.
It’s almost time for back to school. That means stores need to start thinking about the best ways to communicate with new and returning students to help increase rush foot traffic and maximize your competitive advantages. We have gathered three student communication tips to help you select the best back-to-school marketing materials for your store.
Why do the University of St. Thomas Campus Stores offer a robust inclusive access program, digital textbooks, print and used textbooks, as well as a strong rental program? Because students want options. We spoke with Course Material Manager Tami Steinke about the store’s rental program and benefits it offers the campus store.
Lafayette College Store recently had a fantastic buyback. In fact, students were so enthusiastic about buyback they came back multiple times. We recently sat down with Assistant Store Manager Peter Violante and Course Materials Coordinator Darrell Parry to discuss how their store encouraged buyback participation and how word of mouth about the event spread across campus.
Our offices are closed on July 4 in observance of Independence Day.
Recently, Hibbing Community College merged with four other regional colleges in northern Minnesota, creating the new Minnesota North College. In order to accommodate the merger, the five separate college bookstores have consolidated into one bookstore serving six campuses. Consolidating resources, the smaller stores are able to effectively serve their campuses as well as thoughtfully evolve to better compete in a changing market. We recently sat down with Bookstore Coordinator Becky Mayo to discuss how MBS Store Technology Solutions is helping them with this evolution.
Guaranteed buyback simply means guaranteeing a minimum buyback price on qualifying textbooks upfront. When purchasing their textbooks at the beginning of term, students can easily see the minimum they will receive back at the end of term, making it simple to make informed, financial decisions. Best of all, you can offer this transparent pricing and guaranteed minimum buyback amounts without risk to the bookstore. Here’s how.
Summer is a fantastic time to clear out old or dated inventory to make room for your new fall merchandise. However, summer also means fewer people on campus which leads to less foot traffic for in-store sales. To maximize store traffic this summer, offer shoppers great bargains online and in-store.
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