In some cases, the management firms screen and preapprove vendors for their stores, while in other cases individual stores have considerable flexibility to select merchandise that meets the needs of the local customer bases. Even within firms the practice may vary according to the type of merchandise. Contacting company headquarters is probably the best way to start. The NACS Directory of Colleges and College Stores lists firms that provide contract management services for college bookstores. Although not a new phenomenon, group buying is becoming more common in the college bookstore industry as stores respond to increased competition and more aggressive financial expectations from their institutions.
Group buying occurs at the state, regional, and national level.
The NACS Directory of Colleges and College Stores lists college store buying groups. Most institutions now license the use of the school name, logo, mascot, and other marks. Licensing is done either directly with the institution or through one of several licensing companies. The NACS Directory of Colleges and College Stores lists those schools that license their name and the contact person who handles licensing arrangements for each school. Each association has its own membership.