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Your Campus Store as a Vibrant Hub of College Life: Create Elevated Academic and Retail Solutions to Support Students

Tracks
Commercial Services
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Junior 4

Overview

Junior 4


Details

In a recent BNC Study* 88% of students said it is necessary or very important to have course materials available at the campus store, 88% would be interested in an affordable access program and most students prefer to buy school-branded apparel at the bookstore over big box or online retailers. Unique in-store events continue to be a top factor that drives students into store doors as well. Join Barnes & Noble College for an interactive discussion on how the campus store continues to innovate with new products and services that deliver elevated experiences and help institutions hit their highest priority goals—while driving ROI to the institution. Get a sneak peek of the future-focused vision that drives innovation in merchandising, academic solutions and retail experiences—and how that came to fruition in stores. Presenters from a NACAS Member Institution, will join Lori Schmit, Director, Stores, BNC, to share case studies and highlights from recent campus store transformations, while providing supporting data, actionable steps, and best practices that any campus stores can implement. Join the conversation to explore how a diverse range of products, services, support, and partnerships can foster a strong sense of belonging among students, faculty, staff, and alumni on campus.


Speaker

Tracy Keller
Marketing Manager
Barnes & Noble College

Your Campus Store as a Vibrant Hub of College Life: Create Elevated Academic and Retail Solutions to Support Students

Abstract

In a recent BNC Study* 88% of students said it is necessary or very important to have course materials available at the campus store, 88% would be interested in an affordable access program and most students prefer to buy school-branded apparel at the bookstore over big box or online retailers. Unique in-store events continue to be a top factor that drives students into store doors as well.

Join Barnes & Noble College for an interactive discussion on how the campus store continues to innovate with new products and services that deliver elevated experiences and help institutions hit their highest priority goals—while driving ROI to the institution.

Get a sneak peek of the future-focused vision that drives innovation in merchandising, academic solutions and retail experiences—and how that came to fruition in stores. Presenters from a NACAS Member Institution, will join Lori Schmit, Director, Stores, BNC, to share case studies and highlights from recent campus store transformations, while providing supporting data, actionable steps, and best practices that any campus stores can implement.

Join the conversation to explore how a diverse range of products, services, support, and partnerships can foster a strong sense of belonging among students, faculty, staff, and alumni on campus.

Biography

Lori Schmit Director, Stores Barnes & Noble College Lori has over 35 years of college retail experience. She began her career in the college campus store business as a student employee at Southern Methodist University Campus Store. When Barnes & Noble College assumed operations of the store in 1987, Lori was promoted to Assistant Manager. Since then, she has held various management positions in the company, including Manager of the Northwestern University Campus Store. Lori was promoted to Regional Manager in 1989 and to her current role as Director of Stores in 2020. Lori has extensive experience with college store operations, including executing affordable course material and equitable access programs. She is based in Portland, Oregon.
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