When the opportunity arose, Bookstore Manager Andrew Mantz, Bismarck State College, didn’t hesitate to pursue opening a dedicated athletic store inside the new stadium. Expanding the store’s retail footprint is just the beginning of bringing new merchandise options to students and the broader community.
Taking a new look at your store’s processes, tools and capabilities can lead to fantastic results. We recently spoke with Sara Montgomery, Bookstore Supervisor, College of the Siskiyous Campus Gift and Book Shop, about the steps she has taken to help revitalize the campus store and create brand new revenue streams to support the future.
Loyalty programs are common practice in retail. All shoppers, including students, are familiar with the basics of how loyalty programs operate. This knowledge also means that shoppers might have become pickier about the loyalty programs they are willing to sign up for. It is no longer enough to just offer a loyalty program. You have to ensure customers can see the benefit of being a loyal shopper in your college store.
Summer is a fantastic time to clear out old or dated inventory to make room for your new fall merchandise. However, summer also means fewer people on campus which leads to less foot traffic for in-store sales. To maximize store traffic this summer, offer shoppers great bargains online and in-store.
It’s not always easy to select the perfect gift. This year, your store can help make holiday shopping easy by putting together a collection of online gift kits that customers can order and have shipped to the person of their choice.
Contact our editorial team to set up an interview or to contribute a guest post.
Customer Service
800-325-0530
cserv@mbsbooks.com
Order Processing
800-325-0577
As MBS’ signature publication, Foreword is dedicated to offering daily industry insight and cutting-edge news that keep college retailers ahead of the curve. Follow us on social media. Contact us with ideas and feedback. Subscribe for regular updates.
© 2026 MBS. All rights reserved.