OBERLIN, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Aug 24, 2004--Although Internet retailers have made significant strides in the past five years, they have not taken over the college bookstore. The majority of students (84%) still head to their college store first when looking to buy their course materials according to a study by the National Association of College Stores (NACS).
In 2003, students purchased only 14% of their textbooks online, either through college store websites or other online sources. In 1999, students reported they purchased less than half that amount of their course materials, just 6%, online.
The most important factors students consider when purchasing textbooks online include:
1.) The best price
2.) Confidence in selecting the correct edition
3.) Immediate availability
4.) Convenience of purchase
5.) The ability to return.
Student Buying Habits: Textbooks and Course Materials, was the eleventh in a series of college student consumer research studies sponsored by the NACS Foundation. It was conducted during Fall 2003 on 21 campuses with more than four thousand responses (4,299), reflecting the make-up of colleges and universities across the United States.
About NACS
Headquartered in Oberlin, Ohio, the National Association of College Stores (NACS) is the professional trade association representing the $11 billion collegiate retailing industry. NACS represents more than 3,000 collegiate retailers and about 1,000 associate members who supply books and other products to college stores. NACS member stores daily serve the majority of America`s 15.8 million college students while supporting the academic missions of higher education institutions everywhere. Additional information on NACS can be found online at www.nacs.org.
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