Innovation
comes in many forms for collegiate retailers. Two campus stores were recognized
at the 2016 Campus Market Expo (CAMEX) March 4-8 in Houston, TX, for their very
different approaches to supporting their institutions.
UC Davis
Stores, University of California, Davis, received the $5,000 Innovation
Achievement Award prize from the NACS Foundation for its Inclusive Access
program, which has saved students up to 70% off the cost of their course
materials in some 40 classes. The stores negotiated with textbook publishers to
provide students with access to digital versions of their books. Students pay a
fee that’s much lower than the price of a print book; the publishers are able
to drop the price because nearly all enrollees are guaranteed to pay, rather
than buying used copies.
The stores
focused on courses using more expensive books (typically $100 or more for used books
or rentals) with low sales. Due to the cost, some students tried to complete
the course without a book or at least waited a couple of weeks before
purchasing. The program ensures students have their reading materials right on
the first day of class and don’t get behind.
Honorable
mention for the Innovation Achievement Award went to the USD Torero Store,
University of San Diego, for its creative use of technology and contemporary
retail-space design concepts to transform the traditional campus bookstore into
a destination spot on campus. The store, renovated in 2015, now features large
video screens, elaborate lighting, a virtual mirror, a technology support desk,
and movable fixtures to enable use of flex space.
The store
also offers up-to-date mobile checkouts and e-commerce kiosks. There is a
demonstration area with free classes and room for live performances.
A NACS
webinar discussing how the USD Torero Store undertook this renovation
metamorphosis, even reducing its size in the process, will be held Thursday,
March 31, beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern. For more details, visit the description page for The
College Store of the Future webinar; registration is required in advance.
