Foreword Online

Ideas, information and industry news for collegiate retailers



Spotlight: Jim Luecke How Student Savings Impacts Student Success

Posted by Liz Schulte on 11/7/17 5:30 AM

Jim Luecke is a strategic sales consultant for MBS. In the over 12 years he has worked with schools and stores, Jim has collected an abundance of industry knowledge. He uses that expertise to help schools find course materials distribution solutions that best suite their unique needs and situations. We sat down with him to discuss where he sees the industry heading and what trends are gaining momentum as he visits schools across the country.   

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Jolabokaflod: Give the Gift of Books and Win Student Traffic

Posted by Liz Schulte on 11/1/17 1:00 PM

December is an especially busy month. Although finding a time for an event can seem impossible, an end-of-the-year boost in sales is too important to pass up. This year, why not try a simple event that is a little bit different than what you have done in the past? Jolabokaflod.

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Think Positive

Posted by Lori Reese on 10/26/17 5:30 AM

Consider this: How many students coming into your store resemble the models and mannequins used to sell your spirit wear? If your customers are like the bulk of Americans, then most do not. If they’re anything like most college students nationwide, they’re also highly vulnerable to eating disorders.

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North Dakota State University Bookstore Saves Students $500,000

Posted by Liz Schulte on 10/23/17 8:04 AM

The semester is just getting underway, but already the North Dakota State University Bookstore is making headlines with newly implemented changes that have saved students money and decreased bookstore expenses. NDSU Bookstore Interim Director Kim Anvinson took the time to discuss with us how the bookstore does its part to increase student affordability and to welcome new and returning students to campus.

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Catastrophe: What Happens When the POS Goes Down?

Posted by Lori Reese on 10/20/17 5:30 AM

Let’s say you have the nation’s most beautiful omnichannel college store set-up: a bricks-and-mortar offering that draws traffic with a café and lounge chairs, an app with vibrant color photos of your spirit wear and gifts, and a website students can access from any device.

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What Accounts for Towson's Soaring Success?

Posted by Lori Reese on 10/16/17 5:30 AM

Some call it inclusive access, others all-inclusive. At Towson University, the program that builds textbook charges into course fees is called direct access. Whatever name you choose, there’s no doubt that University Store Director Stacy Elofir’s decision to use the model has been a boon for the retailer, the students and the school.  

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5 Ways You Need to Spotlight Students’ Bottom Line

Posted by Lori Reese on 10/12/17 5:30 AM

Winning the heart of today’s student means showing you care about the two things: money and career.

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This Holiday Season, Host a Frugal Feast

Posted by Lori Reese on 10/2/17 5:30 AM

College-style culinary skills are hard won. It takes months of trial and error with a dorm room kitchen set — coffee mug, soup spoon, sugar packets — to create concoctions that satisfy students’ cravings. What’s more, circumstances usually force the average student to work on a micro-budget of a few dollars or less, increasing the challenge. This holiday season inspire a pilgrimage to your store. Host a Frugal Feast — a recipe contest, taste test and sale all in one. 

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Spotlight: David Ritz — Winning Student Trust

Posted by Liz Schulte on 9/19/17 5:30 AM

We had the pleasure of sitting down in Oklahoma with Territory Manager David Ritz to discuss how he thinks college stores can gain student trust.

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Spotlight: Starla Marshall Says Students Want It All

Posted by Lori Reese on 9/12/17 5:30 AM

Oklahoma State University Store Assistant Director of Course Content Delivery, Starla Marshall, has worked in the college retail industry over 27 years. We visited the student-union housed Stillwater store — which serves the 26,000-plus students on OK State's main campus — for two days during 2017 fall rush to gain hands-on experience with textbook veterans. Marshall took time early one morning to talk to us about everything from industry changes to recruiting challenges and shelving course materials by author.

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