Connection & Community: How Universities are Re-Imagining the Campus Store

Seth Weinshel - The George Washington University
Brian Mauro - DeSales University
Roger Demareski - Villanova University

The campus store has evolved from a place to buy textbooks to a retail experience designed to engage and delight every member of the campus community. Schools are taking this opportunity to re-imagine the traditional store and explore new, innovative ways to make it the heartbeat of campus.

Students are coming to college stores for everything from locally driven products to eco-friendly brands, and many campus leaders are thinking outside the box to develop experiences that incorporate modern changes that are deeply embedded in their school’s brand and identity.

In this panel with higher education leaders at DeSales University and The George Washington University, the discussion will focus on how to implement customized campus store transformations for schools that cover a range of affiliations and sizes (from 2K FTE to over 10,000 FTE). What kinds of experiences welcome everyone, so the store serves as the metaphorical front porch for the campus? How can campuses create a store where students, fans, and alumni from all walks of life see themselves reflected, all while driving revenue to put toward critical campus initiatives?

By creating a community where every voice matters, every experience is acknowledged, and every individual finds a sense of belonging, college stores provide a critical opportunity to drive community and connection. The talk will include a robust Q&A portion so audience members can ask tactical questions regarding design planning, inventory, and more.

Learning Objectives

  1. Identify best practices for redesigning and reimagining a new, modernized campus store experience
  2. Outline how to manage communication and get key campus stakeholders onboard with enhancements and changes
  3. Discuss strategies and research trends for creating engaging spaces that exceed the expectations of students, fans, and parents.

CPE Available

  • 1 Credit: Business Management & Organization