With 191 campuses now offering BNC’s First Day® Complete affordable access program, approximately 950,000 undergraduate and graduate students—up from 800,000 in the 2023 fall term—benefit from improved course material access, convenience, and affordability. In addition, the First Day® by Course program is currently offered through 230 campus stores. This growth demonstrates the priority schools place on providing affordable and reliable course material access to students.

Colleges and universities nationwide, of all types and sizes, are redefining how they serve students as this rapid and continued program growth reshapes course material delivery.

191 First Day® Complete Campuses Across 35 States
34% four-year private colleges or universities
31% four-year state colleges or universities
35% community colleges or technical colleges

The Department of Education’s recent decision to terminate the negotiated rulemaking process on the regulatory area of cash management, which could have potentially impacted some of the cost savings through equitable access programs, enables schools to move forward with affordable access programs at an accelerated rate, spurring additional growth.

Institutions that have implemented First Day Complete report the key drivers for moving to the program as: supporting student success, delivering greater access, convenience and affordability, and maintaining competitiveness in today’s market.

NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL & TECHNICAL STATE UNIVERSITY
N.C. A&T, a tier-one research university and one of the top-ranked HBCUs, recently ended its relationship with its previous partner, returning to BNC as its exclusive campus retail and First Day Complete partner. For N.C. A&T, the BNC strategic vision and approach better aligned with its mission to deliver a high-quality and affordable education that supports student academic success and instills Aggie Pride.

“This collaboration will continue to enhance the bookstore experience for our students, faculty, and staff. We look forward to a successful partnership that will drive academic excellence and student success,” said Angela Peterson, Associate Vice Chancellor of Campus Enterprises at N.C. A&T.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
In a recent webinar, Robert Johnson, Director, Sustainability & Auxiliary Services, Northern Virginia Community College, explained how First Day Complete fits into their strategic initiatives to reduce course material costs for students. First Day Complete has been able to help them bridge the gap to affordability. The school has long held the goal to increase student affordability, but OER wasn’t being adopted in high enough quantities and even the increase in digital adoptions wasn’t ensuring students were prepared for class.

With First Day Complete, the school has been able to dramatically increase student preparedness and lower costs.

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
Bill Koch, Associate Vice Chancellor Campus Safety and Auxiliary Services, East Carolina University, explained in the recent webinar why First Day Complete is important to helping ECU reach its highest priority goals.

“The world’s changed. The whole textbook marketplace is different and it’s difficult for self-operated stores to stay up with what’s happening and how quickly it’s changing,” said Koch.

He went on to add, “We need to be ahead of the curve in that competitive environment, at least staying up. And we heard from our students about First Day Complete and they’ve been hearing from their friends at the other schools. So we know that it’s out there and they’re talking about it. Enrollment and retention probably for many of you are a big issue. They are goals for us as an institution and as a UNC system. And so getting students in, getting them an early and fast start with their books and everything else they’re trying to get used to, especially our first year students just coming in, but then also keeping them here and getting them to graduation.”

Barnes & Noble College has established the industry’s best practices for implementing an affordable access program. To learn more about First Day Complete implementation strategies, watch the webinar, and to start a conversation with Barnes & Noble College about implementing affordable access at your school, contact us today.

The post The Rapid & Continued Growth of First Day® Affordable Access Programs appeared first on Barnes & Noble College.

Barnes & Noble College’s First Day® Complete program has experienced significant growth since its launch in 2017 as colleges and universities nationwide better understand the opportunity to improve course material access, convenience, and affordability for students through the program. During a recent BNC webinar, administrators from two new First Day Complete partner schools, East Carolina University (ECU) and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), shared implementation best practices as they discussed their school’s recent launch of First Day Complete.

SELECT A SPECIFIC PROJECT LEADER
Bill Koch: “We had a project lead for our side of the implementation team, and of course Barnes & Noble College had a project lead for their side of the implementation team. And so we met as a single group and just went through the plan step by step, making sure we were on target for everything.”

Appointing a designated project lead can help the members of the team from each department involved focus on their individual specialties and do what they do best. The project lead or leads then oversees how all the parts come together and that deadlines are made, ensuring all the necessary resources are in place for a smooth transition.

ENGAGE CAMPUS STAKEHOLDERS EARLY AND OFTEN, WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE BARNES & NOBLE COLLEGE STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION TEAM
Bill Koch: “Our chancellor’s executive committee approved it for fall. That was a little bit of a surprise to us. We were kind of thinking maybe spring, but they wanted to move forward. We knew we could do it. Barnes & Noble College has a lot of experience in this. They have implementation people who do this all the time and convinced us we could do it in that timeframe.”

Barnes & Noble College’s Client Solutions and Strategic Implementation teams have launched affordable access programs on more than 190 campuses—more than any other campus store operator. The dedicated team supports schools through every aspect of the approval and implementation process, from gaining campus support to program communications and technical setup.

During implementation, schools receive time-tested planning and communication documents, templates, blueprints and checklists, along with the expertise of BNC support teams, which set institutions up for success. Barnes & Noble College’s experience implementing affordable access on campuses nationwide ensures a smooth transition.

Rob Johnson: “And as Bill mentioned, Barnes & Noble College has a lot of experience in implementing this at other schools. So I would say if you’re considering this change, don’t be afraid. Barnes & Noble College is great.”

EDUCATE FACULTY ON WHAT THE PROGRAM MEANS FOR THEM AND FOR STUDENTS
Bill Koch: “There were consensus nods around the faculty senate room and from faculty in general, but obviously we have a couple thousand faculty and not everyone is as on board as others, but we did a lot to communicate with them, answer all the questions, and I think that really helped gain their trust, making them feel more comfortable about moving forward and really getting some of their key leadership on board.”

When preparing to implement First Day Complete, meeting with faculty and clearly explaining the program is essential. Faculty receive more student questions, so by ensuring faculty are well-informed about the program helps them be prepared to better assist students.

Rob Johnson: “The lesson I learned is that we really focused on students because this was going to be new for them and we wanted to make sure that they had all the information they could and again, parents could help them and they understood. We communicate a lot with faculty, but I would do more with faculty if we had to do it over again. You can’t communicate enough.”

ENGAGE WITH STUDENT GPOUPS
Bill Koch: “This was a student driven project as much as anything, like I said, our students were hearing from their friends at other schools. Our SGA meets with the SGA leadership at the other UNC schools. And so they talk about emerging issues and just things at their campus that are going on that they find useful or helpful, and First Day Complete was certainly one of those.”

Building student excitement and knowledge about the program can help it take off from the start. First Day Complete offers many student benefits, including greater convenience, lower costs and better preparedness.

Student, Alamo College District: “I’ve always found that students across the country struggle with receiving their materials and/or paying too much for them. I chose to continue my third year at Alamo because of the simple process that is getting my materials. I’m grateful for the fact that the items ship so quickly and have a reasonable price.”

To learn more First Day Complete affordable access implementation best practices, watch the webinar, and to start a conversation with Barnes & Noble College about implementing affordable access at your school, contact us today.

The post Ensuring a Successful First Day® Complete Implementation appeared first on Barnes & Noble College.

Studies show that affordable access programs improve the student experience — providing more convenient and affordable access to course materials. During a recent Barnes & Noble College webinar, Rob Johnson, Director of Sustainability & Auxiliary Services, Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), and Bill Koch, Associate Vice Chancellor, Campus Safety & Auxiliary Services, East Carolina University (ECU), shared their reasons for implementing BNC’s First Day® Complete in fall 2024. Watch the full webinar here.

For NOVA and ECU, five key First Day Complete benefits were instrumental in the decision to launch the program.

1. IMPROVING STUDENT OUTCOMES & SUCCESS
   Rob Johnson: “What students really care about is how they’re going to succeed in that program. And if we can remove the barrier for them to get their course materials, then they’ll be better off whether they know it or not coming in.”
   
   Having access to all course materials on or before the first day of class ensures that students are well-prepared and ready to succeed. In the 2024 First Day Complete Success Survey*, 81% of students agreed that the program had a positive impact on their success.
   
2. IMPROVING STUDENT AFFORDABILITY
   Participating students save between 35-50% across their academic journey on the cost of required textbooks and digital materials, giving them a significant financial advantage. 77% of students said the program provided more affordable course materials*.
   
3. SIMPLIFYING COURSE MATERIAL ACCESS
   Bill Koch: “We decided to go with First Day Complete for a variety of reasons. Greenville, North Carolina, where we’re located is a small city, typical college town, vibrant economy, whether it’s industrial or certainly educational. But we’re also a medical hub for a 29-county area in the eastern region of North Carolina. So people rely on us from the rural areas for that level of service and educational needs. And it’s predominantly an underserved population, lower income. So access is huge for us to be able to serve our region, which is one of our primary goals.”
   
   Students save time and reduce stress with one-stop-access to bundled course materials. They start the semester confidently and fully equipped to excel. 91% of students said it was convenient to have course materials bundled and delivered through the program and that the program saved them time*.
   
4. SUPPORTING THE ENTIRE CAMPUS COMMUNITY
   Rob Johnson: “We said we’re all in and we’re going to do First Day Complete because it does allow faculty that complete, and I am going to say complete, academic freedom.”
   
   Faculty maintain full academic freedom to select the print or digital materials that best suit their class needs. First Day Complete also provides cost savings that are available to all students. Any students can participate, not just those in specific departments or course that might be taking advantage of an inclusive access program.
   
5. INCREASING MARKET RELEVANCE & STUDENT RETENTION
   Bill Koch: “We need to be ahead of the curve in that competitive environment, at least staying up. And we heard from our students about First Day Complete and they’ve been hearing from their friends at the other schools. So we know that it’s out there and they’re talking about it.”
   
   Bill Koch: “Our SGA meets with the SGA leadership at the other UNC schools. And so, they talk about emerging issues and just things at their campus that are going on that they find useful or helpful — and First Day Complete was certainly one of those.”
   
   In today’s competitive higher education landscape, institutions that offer strong affordable access programs are better positioned to differentiate themselves in the marketplace and attract a diverse student population. These programs signal to prospective students that the institution is committed to affordability, student success, and that all learners, regardless of their financial circumstances, will have what they need to thrive.

To learn more about First Day Complete and these key benefits watch the webinar. Contact us to discuss about how BNC can support your campus.

*2024 First Day Complete Student Success Survey

The post Five Ways Affordable Access Benefits Students and Institutions appeared first on Barnes & Noble College.

Barnes & Noble College has implemented more campus-wide affordable access programs than any other campus store solutions provider, and students continue to affirm that they’re experiencing the benefits of our expertise. In our 2024 FDC Student Success Survey, more than 80% of participating students again confirm that First Day^® Complete had a positive impact on their success in the spring term.

Students also agree that the program delivered an easy, convenient and time-saving experience, with access to their required course materials—bundled for delivery or pickup—before the first day of class. Nearly 90% express a strong likelihood to recommend and participate in the program again.

“I did not have any stress about my textbooks, so I was able to have less stress about and focus more on my schooling.” –Freshman at Alamo Colleges District

SUPPORTING ACADEMIC SUCCESS

First Day Complete allows faculty to maintain full academic freedom to select course materials without any restrictions on format or publisher selection, and it ensures students receive their materials before the first day of class. The majority of students tell us that First Day Complete contributed to their academic success from start to finish in the academic term.

84% of students agree that the program better prepared them for the academic term

81% of students agree that the program had a positive impact on their success

72% of students agree that the program helped them achieve better grades

“Without the help of my math books to guide me through homework and lessons, I would not have been able to get an A in the class. Thank you!!” –Freshman at Sam Houston State University

“I believe that being able to have the material by the first day makes sure that you don’t fall behind. I can immediately become familiar with the book and how the course will be laid out. I appreciated the program, and it is more cost effective.” –Junior at Coastal Carolina University

“Having the physical textbook as soon as class started went a long way in helping me digest the course material and get better grades.” –Freshman at Central Alabama Community College

DELIVERING EASE AND CONVENIENCE

We’ve made an investment in technology and systems designed specifically for affordable access that create simple and seamless course material experiences for students, faculty and administrators. Students access their personalized First Day Complete portal page using single sign-on (SSO), review their required course materials, and simply select their fulfillment method: in-store pick-up or delivery.

Students overwhelmingly agree that First Day Complete makes the process of getting course materials faster and simpler, saving time and stress.

91% of students say the program saves time in shopping for course materials

91% of students say it was convenient to have course materials bundled and delivered through the program

89% of students say the overall process, from selecting course materials to receiving/picking up course materials, was easy

“It’s fast, easy, and you only have to go to one place. Your classes are already listed, and it tells you exactly what books you will need, which is amazing.” –Sophomore at Corning Community College

“I love this program. In the past, I have had to go to the bookstore website, look up my books and wait for the professor to choose the book and add it to the bookstore. Then try to order the book for it to arrive by class. I had to also make sure I had the funds to purchase the book. Now all of that is taken care of for me. I just wait for my books to arrive a week before class.” – Freshman at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

“I didn’t have any worry about picking up my course materials, I knew they would be prepared on time. I most likely wouldn’t have gotten the materials I did unless it was through the program.” –Freshman at Albion College

IMPROVING AFFORDABILITY AND RETENTION

Through First Day Complete, BNC offers students, faculty and administrators access to the most comprehensive catalog of physical and digital course materials in the industry. Students and administrators know they receive the lowest possible prices on course materials and have access to the largest assortment of high-quality used textbooks and digital titles.

89% of students say they are likely to participate in the program in the future

77% of students say the program provided more affordable course materials

72% of students say the availability of First Day Complete increases the likelihood they will continue their education at their school

“I feel like many students may be hesitant to continue their education due to a variety of reasons, one including cost of materials. This program has helped me save money to devote to other course expenses.”–Junior at Eastern Kentucky University

“As a returning adult student who remembers how hard it was in the past to attend school due to the cost in textbooks, this program was much needed and a relief in order to focus on my collegiate goals.” –Sophomore at Winston-Salem State University

“I was able to purchase materials needed at affordable price, if not I might not have been able to get all materials needed.” – Senior at Florida International University

First Day Complete represents just one way Barnes & Noble College is continually innovating to meet the evolving needs of a new generation of students, support your highest priority goals, and deliver even better, more relevant experiences for the entire campus community.

Leveraging our highly experienced teams and customized implementation model, we ensure a seamless transition to First Day Complete. We also provide ongoing program support to ensure a superior user experience for your students, faculty and administrators.

To learn more about First Day^® Complete from the student perspective, watch our video – and to learn more about how BNC can support the academic journey on your campus, contact us.

The post Students Confirm that First Day® Complete has a Positive Impact on Their Academic Journey appeared first on Barnes & Noble College.

For the fall term, we have rolled out enhancements to our course materials solutions, campus store operations and expanded our assortment of in-demand logo apparel, gifts and general merchandise products and brands.

These investments drive ongoing innovations so that we can meet the evolving needs of institutions and the campus communities we serve—supporting students’ academic journey and the highest-priority goals of institution.

EASIER, MORE CONVENIENT ACCESS TO COURSE MATERIALS

Through innovative course material programs like our fast-growing First Day® Complete affordable access program and First Day by Course, we support academic success by making it easier and more convenient for students to get the course materials they need before class, while saving them millions.

• Direct links from the syllabus or LMS to the campus store website
  Through our Adoption & Insights Portal and eCommerce platform, faculty can now link directly to required course materials on the campus store website from their syllabus or LMS, creating a more streamlined experience for faculty and students.
  
• QR codes for ordering course materials in store or online
  We’re using QR technology in our campus stores nationwide to enable a highly personalized course materials experience. Students can scan the QR code on course material store signage, log in with their school So credentials, and quickly access their personalized course material listing page. They can shop while in store or order online and pick up the materials when they’re ready.

STREAMLINED OPERATIONS FOR AN OPTIMIZED CAMPUS STORE EXPERIENCE

We’re committed to providing  a superior standard of service, which includes maintaining and supporting dedicated, local store management and teams. We’re equipping our teams with advanced new tools to be even more effective partners to our client institutions and deliver the level of customer service and local knowledge your campus community expects.

• Improved fulfillment solutions
  We’ve implemented innovative ways to help store teams manage late adoptions so your students get their materials fast and efficiently, even when last-minute changes to like course drops and adds take place.
  
•  Technology upgrades
  We’ve launched a new, collaborative platform to support our store teams and improve communication, planning and performance analysis. This new resource allows your store team work more efficiently, freeing up more time to engage with customers and deliver on our service promise to your entire campus community.

THE CAMPUS STORE IS #1 FOR STUDENTS

Students continue to express high levels of satisfaction with their Barnes & Noble College campus stores—and see them as essential for course materials, according to our Student Pulse survey.

Barnes & Noble College is reimagining collegiate retail with unmatched merchandise assortments, next gen e-commerce capabilities, and a seamless, omnichannel customer experience — all tailored to support your campus community. Through our commitment to service and support, we continue to deliver elevated experiences and value to help your institution achieve your highest-priority goals.

To learn more about how BNC can support your students’ academic journey, transform your campus store experience and build a strong bench to provide exceptional service to your institution, contact us.

The post New For Fall: More Ways Barnes & Noble College Is Elevating The Campus Store Experience appeared first on Barnes & Noble College.

For the new academic year, based on insights from students and input from local store teams, BNC has enhanced our already unmatched assortment of products and brands to keep our campus stores even more relevant and on trend for customers. Our fresh, curated assortments deliver more of what your students and campus community need to support their academic journey, show pride in their school, and help celebrate their athletic achievements. 

Download our Fall 2024 Merchandising Overview for a preview of the latest additions to the largest merchandise assortment in the industry.

EYE-CATCHING APPAREL FOR ALL

More Choice in Our Expanded Value-Price Program

We’re improving the affordability and accessibility of logoed apparel to serve even more customers, with more value-priced t-shirts, hoodies, crewneck sweatshirts and quarter zip pullovers from MV Sport. We’re also introducing new, lower-priced premium polos and quarter zip pullovers from Clique by Cutter & Buck.

Best-Selling Legacy and Athletic Brands

Our assortment includes more of the brands like Champion and Jardine campus store customers turn to year after year—with a wider selection of women’s and youth options, plus more totes and bags. In store, we’re also featuring sideline brands like Nike, Adidas and Under Armour in prominent, high-traffic displays.

Exciting Fashion Collaborations

Our fashion collections showcase a refreshed mix of traditional styles and the latest trends in men, women and youth apparel. New collaborations this fall include collections from Mitchell & Ness, Chicka D, Pressbox, Zoozatz, Mini-U, Vineyard Vines, Tommy Bahama and ‘47.*

An Unmatched Destination for Hats

We consistently offer the widest assortment of hats, leveraging our partnership with Lids, the leaders in collegiate licensing headwear. For the new academic year, we’re bringing in unique silhouettes and a range of styles from trucker hats to soft top “dad” caps.

SUPPLIES AND ESSENTIALS FOR SELF-EXPRESSION

Refreshed Emblematic Supplies

We’re providing a greater selection of supplies and essentials that connect with customers and support the academic journey. Our latest offerings include more Black- and women-owned brands, more products made from recycled materials and an expanded custom Moleskine notebook program. We also have new grab-and-go items for the queue, electronic items and accessories.

New Dorm and College Living Essentials

Our new College Comfort line and updated Be Well. Be You.™ line continue to support comfortable, small-space living and well-being for students. We recently launched College Comfort with products for bath, bedding, storage and organization, damage-free room décor and more. We’re also making new ergonomics, massage and sleep-related products available through Be Well. Be You.

OPTIMIZED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT

Advanced Replenishment Capabilities

Across all merchandise categories, we ensure our campus stores receive the right product at the right time to maximize sales opportunities. We’re using advanced tools and data to drive efficient replenishment throughout the year, and local store managers optimize assortments for key events and seasons.

*Brands may vary by store

STUDENTS PREFER THE CAMPUS STORE

Students continue to turn to the campus store for more than course materials. According to our recent Student Pulse survey, more than half of students visiting their BNC campus store are shopping for general merchandise.

Students also tell us they continue to turn to their BNC campus store for school-branded apparel – more than any other competitor by far.

Download our Fall 2024 Merchandising Overview for a look at our new emblematic apparel and supplies, college living essentials and products for well-being.

Barnes & Noble College is reimagining collegiate retail with unmatched merchandise assortments, next gen e-commerce capabilities, and a seamless, omnichannel customer experience — all tailored to support your campus community. Through our commitment to service and support, we continue to deliver elevated experiences and value to help your institution achieve your highest-priority goals.

.

The post New Year, New Merchandise Assortments: Driving School Pride and Excitement on Campus appeared first on Barnes & Noble College.

Students will be able to create attractive, functional living spaces that are uniquely their own – while enjoying a convenient shopping experience without leaving campus. College Comfort is available online on all BNC campus store websites and in store at select campus stores. An in-store pickup option for online orders ensures students experience a smooth transition into their new living spaces without the hassle of transporting or shipping bulky items.

Using research and insights from students, we strategically selected brands and products for College Comfort that resonate with them and help them create an environment to support their success. The new and innovative collection demonstrates our continued commitment to listening to students, meeting their evolving needs and making the campus store even more relevant and impactful for our campus communities.

IN-DEMAND BRANDS AND PRODUCTS TO ELEVATE COLLEGE LIVING

The College Comfort collection offers students a wide range of products to meet their on-campus and off-campus living needs. It takes into consideration typical dorm and rental guidelines, offering options for safe, damage-free décor, including:

• Bedding: Stylish and comfortable sheets, comforters, mattresses, mattress toppers and pillow sets.
• Bath: Towels, shower caddies and bathmats designed for easy use and care.
• Storage/Organization: Three-drawer charging cart, multi-purpose bedside stand on wheels with built-in USB ports and outlets, and storage and organizers to maximize space and efficiency.
• Room Décor: Decorative pillows, headboards, wall art and lighting – all damage-free décor that personalizes and brightens any room.
• Well-being: Sensory immersion products designed to de-stress and calm the mind, including new, innovative, dorm-safe flameless scented candles and diffusers.

The assortment also includes carefully curated bundles for bath, bedding and the total room. These bundles include everything students need for college living, are easy to carry and offer great value.

Featured Brands

• Dormify
• MagnaCOMFORT by Therapedic (An exclusive BNC brand partner in the collegiate space)
• Rhino Trunk & Case
• Kennedy
• Aston & Ardon
• Honey Can Do
• Lifelines

*Selection may vary by store

“The expanded and curated selection of dorm essentials is part of our ongoing commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our students, providing them with high-quality, affordable products that enhance their campus and off-campus living experiences.”

–Celeste Risimini-Johnson, Chief Merchandise & Operations Officer, Barnes & Noble College

Download our College Comfort Overview for a condensed, shareable look at all the highlights of our newest merchandise line.

Barnes & Noble College is reimagining collegiate retail with unmatched merchandise assortments, next gen e-commerce capabilities, and a seamless, omnichannel customer experience — all tailored to support your campus community. Through our commitment to service and support, we continue to deliver elevated experiences and value to help your institution achieve your highest-priority goals.

The post College Comfort: A Collection of Essentials to Elevate the College Living Experience appeared first on Barnes & Noble College.

The results not only confirm that BNC is providing students with the highest standard of service, but the insights we uncover also shape how we innovate with new academic and retail solutions to make the campus store even more relevant, impactful and valuable for the communities we serve.

For additional insights, read our Student Pulse 2024 press release and check out the overview below. Contact us to discuss how we can make the campus store more relevant, impactful and valuable on your campus.

The post New Research Reveals Attitudes Toward Collegiate Retail appeared first on Barnes & Noble College.

EASE OF GETTING COURSE MATERIALS

Students tell us accessing print and digital course materials is a streamlined process.

86% of students agree First Day Complete saves time in shopping for course materials because they are all in one place

84% of students say they find it convenient to have course materials bundled and delivered to them through the program

“The program makes it easy and affordable to get your course materials at the start of each semester so that you don’t have to add textbooks as something to stress over. It saves time and money.”  –Sophomore at Providence College

“Everything was on one page, all you had to do was select either pick it up at the bookstore or get it shipped to you. Very simple.” –Graduate Student at Gardner-Webb University

“Super easy and not difficult at all. All I had to do was select how I wanted to pick it up, and they did the rest for me.” –Junior at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte

EASE OF CHOICE

Students want cost savings and value the flexibility to participate in the program or opt-out each academic term.

85% of students who initially opted out of the program and chose to opt back in found it easy to do so

“With the click of a simple button I was able to opt out & same with opting back in. I loved the free choice of opting out or in whenever.” –Sophomore at Wake Technical Community College

“It was more convenient than trying to order from different websites or stores.” –Senior at Mississippi State University

“The cost of purchasing my materials each separately was more expensive than participating in the Shark Bundle.” –Sophomore at Hawaii Pacific University

EASE OF PICKING UP PRINT MATERIALS

Students picking up print materials in store receive an email when their order is ready. All they need to do is go to the campus store and show the email with their barcode, and their bundled materials will be brought out to them.

85% of students said the in-store pick up experience was easy

“My bookstore had all materials ready for me when I arrived. Total time it took was 5 minutes; extremely helpful and convenient.” –Sophomore at SUNY Adirondack

“I just had to show a QR code & I was able to pick up my books, on time” –Freshman at Saint Mary’s College

“I waited in line for my name to be called. Once I was called, I got all my materials and went on my way. Fast and efficient process.” – Freshman at Florida International University

Spotlight: Transitioning to First Day Complete at Caldwell University

In the survey, 70% of students at schools that transitioned to First Day Complete in spring 2024 agree it was somewhat or much easier to get their course materials. Over half say it was “much easier.” Students at Caldwell University shared how the program impacted their preparation for the semester.

Access

“[Before the program] I usually wouldn’t have all my materials on time or all at once.” –Sophomore

Affordability

“My first semester I had to spend a lot of my time looking for the books and seeing how I was gonna be able to afford it.” – Freshman

Convenience

“They were all picked out for me. I probably would not have bothered to buy any textbooks otherwise.” –Senior

To learn more about First Day^® Complete from the student perspective, watch our video – and to learn more about how BNC can support the academic journey on your campus, contact us.

The post First Day® Complete Improves the Student Experience appeared first on Barnes & Noble College.

Through strong, long-lasting relationships and innovative and world-class academic and retail solutions, we support our partner institutions in achieving their highest-priority goals. At the local level, we build a deep understanding of each school we serve, which allows us to customize a strategy for each campus store to meet the unique needs of the school and honor their history, mission and values.

We’re proud that our commitment to service stands out. In an independent survey* of administrators at 334 colleges and universities across the country, Barnes & Noble College was voted highest in satisfaction among national bookstore providers across several categories of customer service and support.

• Overall satisfaction for campus store services (+7 pts)
• Overall course material program/support (+12 pts)
• Affordable access programs (+6 pts)
• Emblematic and general merchandise assortment (+11 pts)
• Retail innovation (+11 pts)
• Ecommerce and mobile experience (+9 pts)
• Marketing programs and in-store events (+11 pts)

The following are five ways we equip our store managers and teams to be effective partners to our clients – and provide the services and experiences that deliver better outcomes for students, faculty, and the entire campus community.

*Source: Hanover Research, National College Bookstore Partner Satisfaction Study, 2022

1. ENSURE A DEDICATED STORE MANAGEMENT TEAM FOR EACH STORE

BNC believes in having a dedicated campus store team focused on the unique needs of each campus community. We ensure every BNC campus store is efficiently staffed with an experienced management and support team who are hands-on and work collaboratively with the institution to deliver exceptional customer service to all customers at all times. At each campus store, the store management and trained store team members are responsible for that store and that store alone.

Each store is also supported by an experienced regional management team, which includes a Regional Manager, Director of Stores and Territory Vice President. This layer of regional support ensures our partner institutions experience all the advantages of a locally operated campus store, while benefiting from BNC’s resources and decades of academic retail and digital expertise.

2. GIVE STORE LEADERS A ROADMAP TO SUCCESS ON DAY 1

At BNC, all campus store managers, along with general and assistant managers, participate in an Operational Manager Training Program. This includes being paired with a mentor and having access to a certified trainer and other valuable onboarding guides and resources. They receive specific training in all areas of our business, including manager fundamentals, course materials, trade books, general merchandise, café operations, human resources, inventory management, finance, marketing and campus outreach.

3. BUILD A TEAM WITH STAYING POWER FOR EACH CAMPUS STORE

The average tenure of our campus store managers at BNC is greater than the industry average. We credit the talented individuals serving in those roles – and the team we build at each store. Creating store teams with staying power requires so much more than ensuring all the shifts are filled. From student employees to store and regional managers, we cultivate an environment of continuous learning and development to keep all staff engaged and invested.

The result is a team of education innovators and retail experts, campus advocates and trusted resources for each campus community. With such a deep bench, we’re able to promote 60% of our store managers from within the company.

4. SERVE AS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY

BNC campus store managers and staff become a true part of the campuses we serve. They take the time to understand the students, faculty and staff at each school, building deep relationships that address ongoing needs. Our store teams also are active, valued members of the campus community, getting involved in a variety of ways from serving on committees and boards to hosting events and advocating for affordability and other institution priorities. Each store team is well positioned to align the campus store’s merchandise, products and services to the school’s unique needs.

5. CONTINUE EMPOWERING STORE TEAMS TO DELIVER A CUSTOMIZED EXPERIENCE

Empowerment is a highly valued aspect of BNC’s culture, and it’s the cornerstone of our training and development programs. All store employees are equipped—throughout their careers at BNC–with the tools and support to advance their own development into next-generation leaders as well as to enhance the campus store experience. They are empowered at the local level to deliver a customized experience rather than a standard transaction.

BNC also regularly reassesses our training programs to better understand each campus store’s staff, so we can customize our training curriculum to meet their specific needs and learning styles. This personalized approach helps each member of the team understand the direct impact they have on the client partners they work with and the entire campus community. We also gather their feedback to ensure our programs stay current. This allows store managers to focus on driving the customer experience – and sales – at their stores.

BNC’s approach to customer service ensures that the campus store is a destination and a resource for the entire community. Our experienced, dedicated store teams build strong relationships on campus and a deep understanding of their school, allowing them to stay on top of its unique needs. Then, using their localized knowledge as well as BNC’s extensive national resources and expertise, store teams create a customized store experience that supports student outcomes on their academic journey, engages retail customers, drives store traffic and revenue, and enhances the school brand.

This is just a snapshot of how we honor our commitment to serving our campus communities with the best campus store services in the industry. To learn more about how BNC can transform your campus store experience and build a strong bench to provide exceptional service to your institution, contact us.

The post 5 Ways BNC Campus Store Teams Deliver Better Service and Outcomes for Our School Partners appeared first on Barnes & Noble College.