This past summer, the Howard Community College Campus Store underwent a complete transformation designed to improve the overall customer experience while enhancing operational efficiency. This strategic move will align the store with the evolving needs of students, faculty, and staff while driving retail success for many years to come. Continue reading to learn how we accomplished these goals!
Our primary objective was to expand and showcase the retail offerings by removing course materials from the space while positioning the store as a hub for meaningful customer interactions. We chose neutral colors for the walls and floor to compliment the dark walnut of the custom fixtures. This allowed the school colors and logos to enhance the collegiate feeling in the store.
The curved cash wrap serves as the centerpiece of the store, designed with intention and precision. Its functional elegance creates an inviting environment for customer and staff to engage in productive and helpful conversations. By focusing on this key touchpoint, we aim to enhance the customer experience and drive deeper connections with the campus community from students to faculty.
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Retail expansion was a core focus of the remodel. Beyond the typical college-branded items, we integrated high-demand tech products, including a dedicated Apple table that showcases the latest products. We also diversified the inventory with office supplies and everyday convenience items, positioning the store as a go-to destination for students' academic and personal needs.
One of the most impactful changes was the strategic relocation of course materials. By moving these behind a new wall, we streamlined the footprint required for storage, allowing the front-of-house retail space to grow. The added floor space not only allows for better product display but also simplifies the shopping experience for students, especially for program-specific supplies.
Given the many supply items required for Howard programs, this new space allows us to neatly display samples on the floor, making it easy for students to identify what they need. The back stock is stored and organized in the course material room, enabling employees to quickly and easily retrieve items for students.
We extend our gratitude to Howard Community College for their collaboration on this project, as well as to the dedicated team members—Dewey, Chuck, and Michael—whose hard work assisted in bringing this vision to life.
The Campus Store is open 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Friday. For more information on the bookstore, visit the Howard Community College Campus Store Co. website at www.howardccgear.com.
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