NACS to Launch '4% Challenge' at ABA Day of Education

The National Association of College Stores (NACS) is offering the "College Store Literary Luncheon" and "The 4% Challenge: Strategies to Increase General Book Sales" in conjunction with the American Booksellers Association's Day of Education on Thursday, May 29, at Hotel ABA.

Cindy Thompson, director of committee/state relations for NACS, told BTW, "Our organization is launching the '4% Challenge' -- the goal of our programming is basically to build a national idea exchange.... What would it take to increase your sales by four percent? We're trying to bring people together to ... talk about what's working, and highlight some of the people that have been successful."

Both college store events will take place in the Echo Park Room of the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. College store booksellers who are not ABA members may participate in other Day of Education sessions and events by contacting Margaret Nafz at (800) 637-0037, ext. 6614 or [email protected].

College Store Literary Luncheon (12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.) Sponsored by NACSCORP

Join college store colleagues for lunch ... and listen to some favorite authors. Scheduled speakers include Diana Spechler (Who By Fire, Harper) and Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein (Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes, Penguin). To RSVP, contact Thompson at [email protected].

The 4% Challenge: Strategies to Increase General Book Sales (2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.) Sponsored by the NACS Foundation

Find out what's working in the fight against declining book sales on college campuses. The NACS General Book Committee has issued a challenge to other college stores to increase general book sales by four percent next year. This session is geared toward meeting this challenge. This afternoon of give-and-take will allow attendees to hear about the multi-faceted new program NACS is developing to tap the power of sharing among stores. Discussion topics will include ideas to help punch up your sales, such as profitable bargain book programs; a new twist on "special orders"; new categories, products, and services; cross merchandising; off-site sales; promotions and event planning; and much more.

College stores are invited to come to this session with a program, idea, marketing scheme, or event that worked well for their store. Whether the idea is big or small, bookseller are invited to come and brainstorm about how to make college stores more profitable and more valuable as resources in campus communities.

Events are offered at no charge to NACS store members. Any members with additional ideas or suggestions, or who need more information should contact Thompson at [email protected].