Current Trends Affecting
the College Retailer

Mark Palmore, VP of Strategic Services at Nebraska Book Company (NBC), has been with the company since 1998, earning promotion to his current role in 2013. Palmore advises independent college retailers on strategy for growth and success through the use of a consultative assessment process designed to help stores overcome challenges faced in an ever-changing marketplace. With the June 2015 sale of NBC's campus bookstore division to Follett, Palmore and NBC can focus exclusively on helping independent campus retailers exceed their goals using NBC point of sale technology, a full suite of web services and years of successful experience in college retail and understanding of student buying behavior and power. He recently took time to share his thoughts on the state of independent college retailers, and provide a vantage point to notice trends and areas of opportunity.

There are new challenges facing college retailers every year, as well as challenges that have been around and continue to need fresh solutions. As an example, getting new students into the store has always been a challenge. A pattern I often notice at Freshmen Orientations... Read More