Foreword Online

Ideas, information and industry news for collegiate retailers



How to Build an Effective Survey in 5 Easy Steps

Posted by Liz Schulte on 2/20/18 5:30 AM

Customer retention is a problem across college stores. Understanding how students feel about your store is an essential part of identifying the areas that with improvement can help you provide students with a better experience and increase satisfaction. Surveys give your store insight to what students think, their priorities and how you can better help them achieve success. But, how do you create a survey that is measurable, moves you closer to your goals and produces usable information?

Read More

Building a Communication Strategy

Posted by Liz Schulte on 2/13/18 5:30 AM

We communicate all day, every day, in various ways: through speaking, email, text message, social media or simple gestures. However, all communication is not the same. Emails can often be read with an unintended tone. A sentence that seem clear to the writer might confuse the reader. These miscommunications can negatively impact your store’s intended message. That’s why developing a strong communication strategy is important.

Read More

4 Ways to Market Your Brand to Students

Posted by Liz Schulte on 2/8/18 5:30 AM

The sounds, sights and sensations hurled at students grow as more people fight to win their demographic. A variety of businesses vie for their attention, each promising bigger and better things if they are chosen. With so much noise all around, how does your store stand out from the crowd?

Read More

4 Practical Ways to Break Through to Generation Z

Posted by Liz Schulte on 2/6/18 5:30 AM

You need to buy a new coffeemaker. Does a commercial with a former TV doctor advertising a coffeemaker and jet-set lifestyle influence your decision more or less than hearing your sister or neighbor talk about how much they love their new coffeemaker and all the features it has? The answer to the question comes down to one thing: trust. Consumers trust people they know. People who are “real.” Students are no different. In fact, Generation Z is even more inclined to reject conventional advertising than their previous generations.

Read More

3 Lessons Stores Can Learn From Amazon

Posted by Liz Schulte on 1/24/18 5:30 AM

Amazon is one of the biggest retail innovators of the last two decades, arguably the 21st century. They seemingly dive into markets overnight and change the way things are done along with the public’s expectations. We watched with amazement when Amazon acquired Whole Foods, wondering what, if anything, would change. Now, the famously expensive grocery chain has seen price cuts and Prime members will get perks in the store — a clear sign Amazon is leaving its mark. What wisdom can small stores extrapolate from Amazon’s business practices to carry their college store into the future?

Read More

Best of 2017: Monthly Marketing Plans

Posted by Liz Schulte on 1/4/18 5:30 AM

We share a monthly marketing plan at the beginning of every month designed to increase store traffic and boost student trust and engagement. Included in the plans are posters, flyers, examples social media posts and more so your store has everything it needs for a spectacular event. As you develop your store’s marketing idea for 2018, check out our top five most popular monthly marketing plans in 2017.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

Subscribe for updates

Share your experience

Contact our editorial team to set up an interview or to contribute a guest post.

Most popular posts