ALASKA BOOKSTORE CONFERENCE

April 9-10, 2008

University of Alaska Anchorage

The Alaska Bookstore Conference provided the opportunity to learn business strategies from some of the most amazing and experienced people in the business. Ueli Stadler of Reed College Bookstore was a key factor that made this conference exceed beyond all expectations. Without his determination and fortitude, the quality in presentations and workshops would not have come together.

Conference topics focused on purchasing tips, merchandising techniques & promotions, while the trade show welcomed vendors who showcased products ranging from gift items and clothing to textbook tools and skin care.

Sessions covered the following:

As you know, getting together with bookstore colleagues brings a shared enthusiasm and excitement for the work we do, and serves for the betterment of the academic institutions each of us are affiliated with. After taking numerous notes and acquiring precious handouts, here are some selected points I would like to pass along.

Scott Franz of Gonzaga University, a true hero, constantly figures out new ways to compete with giants in the textbook business. He encouraged us to ‘take control of price” and consider re-pricing used books. The goal is to “rescue the normal book channel which is the bookstore” and make your bookstore the preferred place for your customers to buy and sell books. Scott Franz' data programs and statistics back up what we all intuitively know-- selling more books in quantity at lower prices will be good for students and the bookstore. His strategy has proven success at Gonzaga University and can prove success for all of us!

Patty McCray-Roberts of Peninsula College was in her element when she presented “Visual Merchandising—The Fine Art of Display”. She explained with numerous retail examples the ups and downs of effective store display. “One out of every four sales occurred because of the way the merchandise was displayed”. Therefore the five themes to pay special attention to are: focal point, balance, harmony, color and simplicity. Patty McCray-Roberts' presentation was so effective that I can no longer go into any retail store without automatically critiquing the shelves and the pricing guidelines. Her advise to stay away from offering % discounts in favor of specific $ markdowns is invaluable.

Patty McCray-Roberts also walked us through the NCBA Buying Group pricing and showed how their item descriptions, competitive pricing and easy ordering form worked to our advantage.

The interactive Lemons & Laurels session gave everyone a chance for “show and tell”. Sustainable products such as Poo-Paper, Enviro totes, and Nepalese handmade paper were top laurels and they aligned well with having open stock displays connect with a “Get Rid of Plastics Campaign”. For fun, toward the end of the session, stuffed Giant Microbe Diseases were passed around.

Another major highlight of the Alaska Bookstore Conference was Danny Key of Wingate University who shared many delightful stories about working at collegiate bookstores. Danny Key asked, “Why are textbooks a horrible thing?” and then answered, “ we sell a product we do not choose to a customer who does not want it”. From there the session “Creating Your Store's Future” took off. Danny Key expounded on NACS' study of 4 top issues: Communication, Expanding Our Influence, Entrepreneurial Spirit, and Retail Prowess. We received handouts on What We Should Be Doing, Key Metrics, and Building Bridges at Work. An incredible amount of information for a productive action plan was put together by the end of the session. I think everyone benefited from Danny Key's workshop while being charmed in the process. (Note: Danny Key's new book, Hallelujah Pass the Grits , will be released in July 2008.)

The Alaska Bookstore Conference brought people from 6 University of Alaska Bookstores together and could not have occurred without the generous support from NCBA, NACS, MBS Textbook Exchange, Echo, Follett Higher Education, University Frames, D & H Distributing, and the untiring dedication and support of Joyce Colajezzi, current director of UAA Business Services and manager of the UAA Campus Bookstore. A big thank you goes out to all who participated and contributed to the conference. Right now , I look forward to a bright, progressive future for everyone affiliated with collegiate bookstores.

Rachel Epstein

Special Events Coordinator

UAA Campus Bookstore