The CU Book Store has been named the 2015 Collegiate Retailer of the Year by the NACS Foundation a subsidiary of the National Association of College Stores and its 3,300 store members. The Collegiate Retailer of the Year Award is bestowed on a store that demonstrates the highest level of collegiate retailing excellence. The announcement came at CAMEX in Atlanta. CAMEX is the industry’s largest education and tradeshow event.
“Receiving this award is an amazing honor for all of our employees, both full-time staff and students,” said Brian Groves, director of the CU Book Store. “This award is really a reflection of our great staff and the support we receive from our faculty, administration and various campus partners. That support motivates us to strive to continually improve. CU is an amazing place to work and we're all lucky to be a part of it, working and living in Colorado. It’s rare that an entity has the opportunity to tell its story and ultimately be recognized for the value it brings to its community.”
The CU Book Store is an independent non-profit auxiliary organization where 100 percent of surpluses are reinvested in the campus community. Last year the CU Book Store provided over $1.9 million in university support, paid student employees $688,000 in wages, and rented over 70,000 textbooks saving students an estimated $2.8 million.
The judging for this award is based on six criteria: campus connection, academic support, customer commitment, shopping experience, workplace culture and profitability.
“This is an excellent representation of how our employees work to keep CU on the forefront of innovation and efficiency, said Vice Chancellor for Administration Steve Thweatt. "The bookstore staff has excelled under Brian’s leadership and this prestigious award is a reflection of their dedication and hard work.”
The CU Book Store will receive $5,000 from this award which will be used to provide textbook scholarships during the 2015-16 academic year.
Photo: Members of the CU Book Store accept the 2015 Collegiate Retailer award in Atlanta on Friday, Feb. 20.