Foreword Online

Ideas, information and industry news for collegiate retailers



Get Ready for a Fun February Feud!

Posted by Lori Reese on 1/3/18 5:30 AM

T.S. Eliot famously declared that April is the cruelest month, but for most students, February stands out as the year’s gloomy nadir. Those in temperate climes have two more long months of dark, sleety nights before spring arrives. Midterms loom for all. That’s why this month’s marketing plan is devoted to helping you transform your store into a cheerful mid-winter refuge. Plan a February Feud, a riff on the classic gameshow that will brighten the month and offer students the best cure for the blues: Laughter.

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The Resolution Reckoning: Combining Trends to Increase 'Foot' Traffic

Posted by Lori Reese on 12/1/17 5:30 AM

 “May the odds be ever in your favor!” ®

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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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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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A Festival of Silly Tricks and Sensational Treats

Posted by Lori Reese on 9/1/17 5:30 AM

October on college campuses brings crisp weather, costumes, candy and, of course, parties. Tap into the celebratory mood with a contest and event you can host any night of the month.

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Think, Plan, Do with a Year's-Worth of Marketing Plans

Posted by Liz Schulte on 6/1/17 5:30 AM

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.

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Mystery May: Fall in Love with a Great Book

Posted by Liz Schulte on 5/1/17 5:30 AM

You don’t need to live at 221B Baker Street to love a good mystery. As the semester winds to a close, it is a busy time for everyone on campus. Keep this month’s event simple, engaging and easy to manage with one or all of these ideas for a terrific Mystery May event designed to bring people into your store without taking up a lot of time.

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'April Showers Bring May Flowers' Customer Appreciation Sale

Posted by Jason Smallheer on 4/3/17 5:30 AM

Host an April Showers Bring May Flowers customer appreciation extravaganza; your opportunity to make sales and motivate the troops as buyback approaches. With students preparing for exams and needing last minute supplies, you have an opportunity to generate a bump in sales.

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Bracket Battle in the College Store

Posted by Jason Smallheer on 3/1/17 5:30 AM

Prepare yourself for the March Bracket Battle chaos! This month people will be asking you which college basketball team is going to go all the way and let’s face it, we have no idea which team is better and can only name a handful of players. But your Bracket Battle can be about more than basketball, and you’re going to take the annual bracket bonanza to a new level.

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Spring into Savings

Posted by Jason Smallheer on 2/3/17 5:30 AM

The spring season is about getting ready for a break, the last push before exams and building business before buyback and summer. This month “Spring into Savings” with a sale designed to clear out the old and make room for new stock.

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