Alumni professionals discuss starting an alumni merchandising program. Successful merchandising should address several needs including promotion of institutional pride and alumni commitment, provision of a service to alumni, and fund raising to underwrite alumni activities. Establishing guidelines, learning the market, inhouse sales, and outside…

Winners of the Pick/Promote/Profit competition for college bookstore managers that selects outstanding merchandising techniques. (PG)

Ideas to help improve merchandising in college stores are presented: utilizing space wisely, improving calculator sales; and organizing textbook buy-backs. (PG)

Discusses basic principles of business, education, marketing, retail operation, bookshops, merchandising, display, selling, and success and their application to college bookstores. (JT)

Some suggestions for troubleshooting when problems develop with a college merchandising program cover topics such as delivery delays, product quality, promotional material, merchandise that outside manufacturers sell directly through ads in alumni magazines, and "lemons." (MLW)

A large part of any merchandising program is picking products that will sell. Sixty alumni professionals were asked about their ideas. Some of the winners included a watch with the institution's seal, a windsock, and athletic shoes. Some of the losers included a sweater and a commemorative plate. (MLW)

Information on the computer industry and computer use by students, faculty, and the publishing industry that may be useful in planning college store merchandising is compiled from a variety of sources. (MSE)

Presents some stocking, maintaining, and purchasing tips for college stores with trade paperback sections. (PG)

The planning and merchandising strategies behind a new cooperative college store building and customer circulation concept are outlined. The facility allows for both current marketing needs and future flexibility as the store expands its role. (MSE)

The University of Utah bookstore's expansion incorporated a number of features that have proved valuable, including the single-level floor design, creative signs, movable floor fixtures, removable shelving, and see-through book display units. (LBH)

Technical/reference books must be sold by the college store for it to continue as an educational resource center. A professional retailing approach to technical/reference books will increase sales and contribute to profits. (Author/PG)

In determining whether colleges or universities should operate their own food services or bookstores or lease them to contract operators, school business officers should consider a number of factors. These include whether sales volume is sufficiently large to cover direct operating costs and overhead; inventory investment; appearance, service, and…

Improvement of turnover (the rate of merchandise activity in a store) can mean more sales and more profits for college stores. Some ways to improve merchandise turnover include improved store layout, merchandise mix, and purchasing techniques. (MLW)

The conceptions and preparations for a successful author autographing party at the University of Virginia's bookstore are described. Suggestions for selecting authors, publicity, and planning are given. (MSE)