The experience students have in your store contributes to their overall impression of your college. When students experience positive, knowledgeable and helpful service from the bookstore, they feel welcomed into the campus community. This person-to-person attention also gives students another trusted campus resource that they can turn to with questions.
Your campus store has a larger impact on campus than simply what it sells. Many stores are able to offer flexible on-campus employment opportunities to students, helping them develop career-readiness skills. An inviting store with easy snack options, comfortable seating and products geared to students gives students a welcoming place to hang out between classes — some stores have even incorporated a study area for students. On top of all that, your helpful and friendly staff are available to answer campus questions or sometimes just help students through a bad day.
72% of students prefer to shop in-store for school-branded apparel/clothing.*
*Barnes & Noble College 2024 Student Pulse Research: New Research Reveals Attitudes Toward Collegiate Retail.
How to elevate the student experience in your campus store
• Implement easy in-store textbook pickup
Textbooks are a vital part of student success. It’s simple: students don’t do as well in class if they do not have their course materials. However, long lines and hard-to-find books can drive students online. By providing students with an uncomplicated way to order and pick up their books in the bookstore, you give them the best of both worlds. Students get the in-person experience they like while bypassing the wait.
Learn Three Ways to Streamline Order Fulfillment.
• Provide an omnichannel experience
Providing customers with an omnichannel experience is more than a checklist of places where your bookstore should be: a physical store, a website, an app, social media, etc. To give customers the experience they expect, they should be able to go from one location to the next and maintain a seamless experience.
Having a truly integrated experience means that shopping online with your store is no different than coming into the store. Customers can view and research the products they want to buy on your website and then go into your store and see the same selection in person. Or, if the student decides to make an online purchase, they can easily and quickly pick it up in your store or return the items that don’t work for them.
Check out this article for more information: Give Students a Better In-store and Online Experience.
• Plan a regular schedule of events
Bookstore events make your store more than just a place to get course materials. They help change students’ view of the bookstore’s role on campus.
Large sales, flash sales, charity collections, community events, scavenger hunts, costume parties … the options are almost endless. Taking the time to brainstorm with your staff about the events can result in a big payoff. Also, don’t forget to check out your school’s campus calendar and celebrate exciting campus events.
Check out our database of free college store event and marketing plans.
• Expand what your store offers
Snacks are a great way to bring in students of all ages and backgrounds. Busy students racing between classes and their jobs might not have time to pick up lunch or dinner. Having quick, easy and healthy snack options can give students the energy boost they need to make it through their day.
You can even take it a step further. When Anoka-Ramsey Community College Campus Store took over management of the food services department, they were able to use the MBS system to run both.
“A big benefit of partnering with MBS is the support of the MBS team. It's a seamless operation. I started as the campus store manager more than three years ago. Not long after, my position grew to encompass our food services department. With MBS store technology, I was able to transition and use our same system, POS and back office, to support both businesses. Even though they are separate, it all transitions into one. It's been really nice,” Rita Smith, Campus Store Manager/Food Services, Anoka-Ramsey Community College said.
Read more about Anoka-Ramsey Community College Campus Store.
