Three years ago, the staff at the Iowa State University Bookstore adopted a new strategy striving for “Excellence in Customer Service.” After evaluating their approach to the unique challenge of a store with a great deal of floor space, a large, diverse inventory and a broad range of different types of customers, they came up with a new platform for expectation for all UBS staff members.
When bookstore employees stare at the miniature mountains of rental returns piling up in their store room at the end of each term, it's often a daunting feeling.
Topics: buyback, college store stories
As students study hard, juggle multiple finals and term papers and make travel arrangements for the winter break, it can be difficult for bookstores to make sure their buyback marketing is being heard.
Topics: college store stories
As we wind down the year, we wanted to celebrate the content that keeps our subscribers coming back for more. Here are the top 10 store stories we published from 2015, in case you missed them or just want to check them out again!
Reaching out to new and returning students on a regular basis is vital to the success of any college store. After all, if your students aren’t fully aware of all you have to offer or the important role you play as part of the campus community, they may choose to shop elsewhere. Schmoozefest, a yearly event sponsored by the University Union at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, welcomes students back to campus with free food and gift bags — and The Phoenix Bookstore makes sure they are involved in the festivities.
Topics: video, college store stories
The University of Central Missouri built a brand new bookstore in the middle of campus that opened up this past August. In the video below, UCM Store Director Charlie Rutt walks us through the new building and talks about how the changes have boosted his business. Check it out!
Topics: college store stories
At the end of September, Pope Francis made a historic visit to Philadelphia. This coincided with the final festivities for the weeklong World Meeting of Families, the world’s largest gathering of Catholic families. Because it had been years since the last papal visit, Neumann University Bookstore Director Natalie VanWyk knew it would be important to acknowledge the event, but also realized that she could use it to increase traffic to the bookstore.
Topics: college store stories
From 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., most store workers are hopefully in bed fast asleep. The folks at SDSU Bookstore were keeping the action going late October 26, hosting more than 80 gamers for a Halo 5 launch party and raffle.
Every October, National Student Day is celebrated at college stores around the country. For the third year in a row, the Rocker Shop on the campus of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology got in the holiday spirit and put together their own event to show their appreciation for their students. This year, they celebrated their students in a couple of ways.
Topics: holidays, college store stories, bookstore events
There’s still plenty of time till Halloween, but the Lake Superior College Bookstore is already getting a head start on the festivities. October 1 marked the first day of their “Pick-a-pumpkin” sale, where lucky customers can receive up to 25 percent off LSC apparel and merchandise.
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