Ideas, information and industry news for collegiate retailers

 The University of Dayton Bookstore recently began using MBS’ new ordering tool SimpleSource. We sat down with Textbook Manager Kevin Poindexter to discuss his experience with SimpleSource and the features that have worked well for his store. 

At the 2019 ICBA convention in Jacksonville, Florida, Barnes & Noble College’s Vice President of Marketing Ken Wincko and Director of Campus Relations for the Northeast Territory Jennifer Russell had the opportunity to present to the Large Store Group members of the Independent College Bookstore Association (ICBA). There, they shared Barnes & Noble College retail trends and insights and gave audience members a look at the future of collegiate retail. 

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing fields. However, women are underrepresented in the job market, the degree programs and the classrooms. As the demand for more diverse cybersecurity professionals grows, initiatives like Dakota State University’s CybHER program become increasingly vital to encourage more young women to bring their diverse perspective into the field of cybersecurity.

Recently, MBS Vice President of Inventory Control Mike Tolly sat down with us to share his thoughts and impressions about his panel at CAMEX, Publisher Consignment Rentals: Implementing In-store and at Scale. There, he was joined by Jessica Hickman, senior director course materials services at IndiCo, and Kevin Leitner, director of bookstore operations for Florence O. Wilson Bookstore at the College of Wooster. During the panel they discussed the opportunities and challenges publisher consignment rentals present to today’s independent college stores.

With an adoption completion rate of 99.92% seven weeks before the start of spring term, Chemeketa Community College is inspiring. Recently, we sat down with Chemeketa’s Director of the Bookstore and Auxiliary Services Meredith Schreiber and the Bookstore Course Materials Coordinator Bonnie Perry to discuss their approach to faculty adoptions and student affordability.

Cybersecurity is a large topic that can easily become overwhelming. However, as the college retail industry evolves, it is important that you do everything you can to protect students and your store from cybercrime. Recently, we sat down with Dr. Pam Rowland, assistant professor at Dakota State University in Cyber Security, co-director of the Center of Excellence for Information Systems and the director of the CybHER Institute, to discuss what college stores can do to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats.

St. Cloud Technical Community College has grown a lot in the last few years. To meet the demands of a growing student population, the bookstore underwent a massive renovation and expansion that created a space designed for students and retail success. We were able to speak with Marge Parry, the textbook buyer for The BookStore, to talk about the renovation and how the store engages their unique student population.

In the 14 years that I have worked in the textbook industry, I have witnessed a lot of trends come and go. I have worked hand in hand with countless stores, helping implement the latest, most innovative college retail technology or strategies. With the mounting pressure for college bookstores to be both profitable and service-oriented, my college store friends must wear many hats and juggle an impossible number of responsibilities.

Social media can be a tremendous tool for connecting with students, alumni and the campus community. However, starting a social media platform is more than just picking one channel and posting from time to time. Your store needs a social media strategy and  it absolutely needs to be on the platform students use. Right now, that platform is Instagram. Right now, that platform is Instagram.

There is nothing quite like walking into a stadium or arena on a college game day. Energy and excitement spark against your skin as you make your way through throngs of equally excited fans to find your seats. Strangers wearing the same team colors as you are suddenly comrades ready to help cheer your college team to victory.