The CD ends, the computer is disconnected and the student goes to sleep. He can expect the books to arrive at his dorm within a few days. This scenario is occurring across the country as more and more students enjoy the benefits of online retailing. Start-ups like Varsitybooks and BigWords are betting that students, who spend more time online than any other group, will also want to buy textbooks online. College students spend the most time online as a group-4.9 hours per week.
Books are the second most popular item purchased on the Web behind CDs.
It was the launch of Varsitybooks. The two companies have had successful startups in large part because of their aggressive marketing and serious efforts to develop relationships with students, professors and publishers. Early this year the two largest college store management companies responded. The entry into the online textbook market of two companies with long experience selling in the college world may challenge Varsitybooks and BigWord's early dominance. With competition heating up, it is not easy to discern the differences among the online retailers.