Dear Valued CSNE Member:

Welcome to summer! We are coming off a terrific show in Saratoga Springs, NY, the 2010 Joint Meeting & Trade Show where we partnered with CSA-NYS. There were a lot of great sessions, networking and of course we finished off with a full-day trade show. This was a value packed event! Now we are busy planning our Fall Meeting in October that you can read more about in this newsletter.
Is our industry at a cross-road or is there just a lot of hype once again about the demise of the college/campus store as we’ve known it? It’s hard to say. You’ve survived the great equalizer, the Internet, right? Or have you? Or is this just the beginning? Will the enactment of the HEOA this July 1, 2010 make a difference to your store? Maybe you’re already transparent and have all the information on-line and have countered with a vibrant used book program and this is the difference for you currently. Now we’re told that this isn’t enough; we need to offer rental books. All the wholesalers are getting into the rental game and many more bookstores will be offering rental programs as soon as this fall. But, is this really going to last or is this part of the natural evolution of the textbook as it heads to its next design in digital form? Of course this digital form already exists, but it really lacks a way of being consumed, in other words a really great e-reader.
Many argue or hope that the iPad is the answer to this problem. Of course Amazon has the Kindle, Barnes & Noble has the Nook and there are hundreds of other e-readers out there that most of us haven’t even heard of nor ever will. I don’t know, but I can see the possibilities. We sell the iPad at the UConn Co-op, when we can get some in stock. We also have 3 demos and this certainly has become a very popular stop for folks in the bookstore the last couple of months. Sure it is new and people are curious. I’ve played with them for a few minutes and the iPad is exciting. Personally I think it will be good a few generations from now, but don’t fool yourself, that will be just around the corner. The question will be how do we fit into the distribution channel and stay relevant?
We recently posted an interesting article on the subject of the iPad and our industry on our Facebook page from an article published by Fortune magazine dated May 17, 2010. If you aren’t personally on Facebook yet nor have a Facebook page for your store, you really should do it sooner than later. It is real easy and honestly it makes sense as a great and free way to promote your brand. The Facebook page for Campus Stores of New England is also a great place to get information that is relevant to our industry.
The choice is ours. Get involved, learn all we can about the changes in our industry or look away at everything that is happening and bury our heads in the sand as they say. I choose to be excited, though I admit I’m apprehensive. Let’s continue to make this a great industry in serving our students, staff, faculty and alumni through our amazing campus and college bookstores throughout New England!

Humbly Yours,

Dirk C. Fecho