New System Offers Bookstores an Array of Alternative Tools to Compete More Effectively in the Market
College & University Pressroom
OGDEN, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CampusBookRentals (www.campusbookrentals.com), the pioneer of college textbook rentals, today announced the rollout of an advanced point-of-sale system (POS) for college bookstores. This rollout comes after a string of technology advancements delivered to bookstores over the last three years and solidifies CampusBookRentals as the preeminent college bookstore partner.
In 2009 CampusBookRentals became the first to partner with college bookstores to power in-store rental programs, and now does so in over 100 bookstores nationwide. With this advanced POS technology, CampusBookRentals is offering their partners a distinct alternative to the existing legacy systems, and equipping bookstores nationwide with an arsenal of new tools to compete more effectively with online and in-store competition.
Bookstores have been operating in a rapidly changing environment in recent years and have seen formidable new competitors such as Amazon and eBay enter the textbook market. With this new technology, CampusBookRentals gives bookstores a crucial edge by introducing store-to-store inventory sharing and trading connectivity as well as rental centric modules, making as much as 100% of the textbook inventory profitably for rent. These tools provide significant textbook sourcing, selling and renting advantages and empower bookstores to be more competitive.
"Legacy systems put bookstores and students at a disadvantage, as they are unable and unwilling to adopt superior sourcing and rental strategies that deliver significant value to students,” said Alan Martin, CEO and Founder of CampusBookRentals. "We are now putting tools in the hands of bookstores that have already proven to bring back market share and make the bookstore the preferred destination for the value-conscious student.”
Furthermore, the cloud-based solution allows stores to sell excess textbook inventory directly into online marketplaces and facilitates bookstore participation in 'RentBack', the student-to-student and student-to-store rental initiative launched by CampusBookRentals in December 2012.
Perhaps the biggest point of differentiation is how the product is developed. CampusBookRentals considers this technology to be a POS developed by bookstores, for bookstores. Efforts are underway to create an advisory board of bookstore managers to help guide future product development, and ensure that the product evolves to meet the changing needs of college bookstores. In conjunction with the unique product development model, the technology also gives bookstores access to CampusBookRentals powerful logistics infrastructure. The store-to-store inventory connectivity, coupled with access to CampusBookRentals' logistics infrastructure provides bookstores with real advantages in the competitive textbook market, enabling them to grow market share.
About CampusBookRentals
CampusBookRentals is a leading independent provider of textbook rentals, providing a flexible, convenient and economical alternative to buying textbooks for price-conscious students. Named by Forbes as one of "America's Most Promising Companies," and as the fastest growing education company in the nation by Inc. Magazine in 2012, CampusBookRentals is a preeminent destination for textbook rentals and one of the largest providers of rental solutions to the college bookstore market. Founded in August 2007, Campus Book Rentals serves customers at nearly 6,000 colleges nationwide and has significant in-store technology at over 130 locations. For more information, visit: www.campusbookrentals.com.