Topics: cost savings, college stores, benefits of scale
College stores are in a hard position. Stuck in the middle, everyone wants something. Students want lower costs. Faculty want their students to have their books in time for class. Administration wants to see the store make a profit. Making all three channels happy isn’t an easy task. Utilizing the principle of economy of scale can help you achieve that.
Topics: college store stories
For many college stores, summer means a slower pace and less foot traffic. Though it can be tough to come up with new ways to make your store stand out, knowing what other stores have tried can be a big time-saver. That was the case for Director of Campus Stores Margo Ketels of the University of Dubuque's Babka Bookstore, who found inspiration right here on Foreword Online.
Topics: college store stories, customer experience
“There’s always that stigma of the bookstore trying to gouge the student,” said Aztec Shops’ Campus Stores Division Director Kathy Brown. Establishing customer trust has been key to the San Diego State University college store’s success.
Since "A New Hope" premiered in 1977, the Star Wars franchise has been one of the most successful and beloved media franchises in the world. In fact, the unofficial holiday "Star Wars Day" is celebrated by fans on May 4 — a pun off of the phrase "May the Force be with you."
It gave University Stores at Kennesaw State University something to celebrate as well. The store took the concept and ran with it for the week of May 2-6, offering a sale for 25% off Star Wars merchandise, and using a Star Wars theme to spruce up its display windows and advertise its rental returns.
Coming across a fun marketing idea when it is too late to implement is disappointing. As the year progresses, there are naturally times when setting up marketing events is easier than others, but the good ideas rarely seem to fall in those moments. Take advantage of one of the slower times of the year by making a plan. This month, instead of offering a single idea, we have 10 social media marketing events you can personalize and line up throughout the year to fit your schedule.
Topics: Higher Ed, bookstore events, bookstores
When the new Passport Center in the University of New Mexico Bookstore launched with a “soft opening” in April, a few weeks before its grand opening in May, no one was sure how much business it would attract. The UNM Global Education Office, which runs the center in partnership with the bookstore, kept hours and staff to a minimum.
Topics: Higher Ed, K-12, student behavior, cybercrime
A global ransomware attack raises awareness about cybercrime, but a less-publicized scam is likely to impact students more: phony third-party sellers on Amazon that snag credit card information and fail to ship promised goods.
The University of Maryland Baltimore County Bookstore finds new ways to engage customers. Knowing the industry is changing, and students have more options, UMBC Bookstore Director Bob Somers challenges his team to think outside the box and keep customers coming through the doors.
Topics: video, Bookstore marketing, mobile technology
There are new apps created daily. Some are better than others, but few generate the kind of excitement the iOS app “Clips” did when it was released last month. What makes it better than any other video app already on your phone? That’s what we are going to find out.
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