With another rush just around the corner, now is a good time to start thinking about how you can further streamline processes in your college store. We recently spoke with Jennifer Thomas, Director of Bookstore Operations, WCU Bookstore, to learn how her store streamlines order pickup with limited store occupancy and how they use their loyalty program to promote foot traffic all year.
Unprecedented challenges often require creative solutions. For the Western Carolina University Bookstore, the uncertainty with COVID and students returning home before the end of the fall term meant that buyback would also need to be adjusted to fit current challenges. The solution the store found was to hold a longer, cashless buyback for students.
Last week, MBS held its annual Spring Forums event. System partners came together virtually to learn helpful system tips, hear store successes and access a multitude of resources. To kick off the week, the first session discussed how to strengthen college store eCommerce sites and what to avoid when working on your website redesign.
Did you know that MBS Store Technology Solutions offers customers a complete collegiate retail system? With our solution, stores have the collegiate retail hardware, software and support that they need to keep up with a rapidly evolving industry.
When it is time to order textbooks, there are benefits to being able to fill more of your wantlist with one trusted company. MBS has the scale and resources to provide college stores with a one-stop shop for your ordering needs, saving you time and money.
Having the support you need when you need it can make a huge difference in the day-to-day functioning of a college store. Like other college stores, the COVID-19 pandemic increased the importance of eCommerce for the Dodge City Community College Bookstore. While the store was managing all of the rapid industry changes, it was able to keep up with evolving eCommerce expectations and get a complete website refresh.
One of the most important outlets for college bookstores is the eCommerce website. As the world around us continues to change and evolve, the eCommerce site has become increasingly important to the store’s relationship with students, the campus and the outside community. In the Independent College Bookstore Industry Trends: eCommerce White Paper, we take a look at how college stores have updated eCommerce sites for the immediate market shift.
Order processing for online orders needs to be fast and accurate. However, this can be a challenge with limited staff and resources. College store associates often have to fulfill many different roles in the store, and the recent uptick in online orders, while great for the store, might strain your traditional methods. How can college stores simplify online order processing?
Buyback is an important event for the college store. It helps stores ensure you have the low-cost used book inventory necessary for the following term and gives students an easy time and place to return rental books. However, due to state, local and campus restrictions, it may not be possible to have an on-campus buyback this term.
The college store website is one of the primary avenues for customers to make purchases from your store and a great way to share information with students. However, how can you attract repeat visitors to your website? One method is to keep your site fresh with ever-changing content and up-to-date information.
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