Central Washington University Wildcat Shop noticed there was a problem with their student customer service during rush. Large crowds congested the aisles, and lines of students waiting for help made it difficult to maneuver through the stacks. Looking for ways to alleviate the problem, they switched to counter service.
College stores serve their campus community as a retail and social hub. From the moment students are accepted all the way to graduation, the store is a constant presence in students’ college life. However, what happens after graduation?
Topics: bookstore events, college stores, college bookstore
The college store is more than just a bookstore. It can be a total support system for the entire campus. Innovative stores create opportunities to better serve their campus community. Recently, we sat down with University of Minnesota Bookstores’ Marketing Manager Kari Erpenbach to discuss how their Tech Time courses have helped engage the campus community and increase store traffic.
The college store industry is changing. From buyback to course material delivery, college stores must evolve to continue meet the needs of campus. We recently sat down with Kurt Kaiser, assistant director of textbooks at Colorado State University Bookstore, to discuss how their store has met new challenges and saved students more than $4.1 million.
Topics: college bookstore, Gen Z, college fan gear
College fan gear is a staple in student closets. Wearing logoed apparel to class, to run errands, to big game day events and even for a night out, Generation Z students want collegiate apparel that is versatile, affordable and comfortable. However, students also gravitate toward specific style trends. If they can’t find what they are looking for on campus, they will shop elsewhere.
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.
Most of us probably know at least one kid who plays a seemingly endless amount of video games. Maybe you were even that child who couldn’t get enough of your favorite games. If you were, you probably weathered commentary from adults about wasting your time on a silly game. Or, if you are a non-gamer, like me, then chances are that particular speech doesn’t sound wholly unreasonable. After all, what does logging thousands of hours on a video game really contribute to one’s future?
In today’s digital world, convenience is key. Don’t want to go to the grocery store? No problem. You can order online, and your purchase will be brought to your car or delivered to your home. Don’t feel like running down the road to pick up a new flashlight? No problem. It will be shipped to you in two days. Convenience is the new normal for all consumers, including students.
College stores are a misunderstood part of campus. Tasked with supporting students and generating revenue, stores are caught in the middle of two conflicting goals. For those who don’t live and breathe the industry every single day, it’s easy to lose sight of how the store enhances day-to-day campus life and all it does to help students, faculty and the school. That’s why it’s important to share more of what you do to enhance affordability and student life with the campus community.
College should be challenging, but, lately, many students find it downright overwhelming. Research shows a larger-than-ever percentage of students experience excessive pressure in school that harms their health, their learning and their chances for success. Anxiety is No. 1 among student-reported mental health issues, and collegiate retailers are stepping up to help solve the problem. Stores nationwide are hosting events dedicated to helping students combat stress, so they can stay in school and achieve their goals. Some empathetic and innovative retailers have turned to a resource not usually available on campuses: Furry, four-legged friends like dogs and cats.
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