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 Ballroom 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
Aaron Beckmann
Director, Strategic Partnerships
Barnes & Noble College
Your Campus Store as a Vibrant Hub of College Life: Create Elevated Academic and Retail Solutions to Support Students
Biography
Aaron began working for MBS in 2009 as a Client Services Manager for the virtual bookstore division, MBS Direct. In 2010, he became a Regional Sales Manager, and was promoted again in 2015 to Strategic Sales Consultant, where he developed opportunities for K-12 and higher education in the Midwest and West. Aaron transitioned to Barnes & Noble College in 2019, and is responsible for new business in the Central/ Northwest Territory. He graduated from Truman State University in 2001.
Lori Schmit
Director, Stores
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.
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 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.
