Most people think of textbooks, Auburn memorabilia, quick snack foods, and free coupon books when they hear talk of a university bookstore. However, AU's campus bookstore is changing that stereotype and steering toward a more fashionable customer base.
The Auburn University Bookstore hosted its first Fashion on the Concourse event Thursday, Feb. 28, and Friday, March 1, in front of the Haley Center to show students, faculty and visitors what new fashion trends will be available on campus.
"Everybody doesn't want to have an AU interlock on them for their everyday wear," said Abby Coan, assistant director of general merchandise. "So, we thought it would be a good idea to try more of this fashion-oriented apparel."
Coan said Anna Craig, senior in apparel merchandising, is the brain behind this operation. She picked out which clothing will be sold in this new department, and is spearheading this initiative.
According to Craig, she had the students' needs in mind when coming up with what to see in the bookstore.
"I know a lot of freshmen don't have their cars with them," Craig said. "So, this is a way for them to get more fashionable clothing when they need it easily."
However, this change of bookstore scenery isn't only for clothing and accessories. Coan also said the bookstore will be selling skateboards, long boards, hammocks, and Apple product accessories.
"This is going to be a whole new lifestyle section," Coan said. "We looked at our demographic and where we're located on campus, and the students are the ones that are here shopping and killing time in between classes. We wanted to give them something more."
According to Lauren Jones, the technology specialist for the Auburn University Bookstore, this new lifestyle section will include technology accessories that will give students the ability to express their personalities through various Apple product accessories.
"We are an Apple-authorized campus retailer, so we sell Mac products, and those seem to be what student want, need and use the most, and we buy the accessories to go along with those products," Jones said. "And buying the prints and colors to go along with these products help students express their individuality and have fun."
Jones also said the technology accessories in this new lifestyle section will help students stay organized and keep what they tote around campus to a minimum.
"[iPhone cases] are kind of like the new purse," Jones said. "Girls don't carry big bags anymore. They carry phone cases that have the cardholders and that kind of thing. It's minimalistic and helps them simplify their lives."
Jones said she agrees with Craig in that it is important to cater to the needs of the students who live on campus and may not have a car at their disposal.
"A lot of the new students don't have access to the mall or the stores downtown," Jones said. "So we have those things here for them, and it's easy access."
Jones also said it isn't just the girls that get to experience and enjoy this change of inventory. There will be products targeted toward male students as well.
"Kate Spade makes a male line called Jack Spade, so we've gotten a couple of those things in," Jones said. "We've gotten some Salt Life things in, and we're working on getting more masculine-looking products like that in as soon as possible."
According to Jones, the students aren't the only ones the bookstore is hoping to attract with its new lifestyle section.
"I've also found new things to target our Alumni, especially during football season, when they're gearing up for A-Day and for the fall," Jones said. "There are things that we're looking at that are cute, but are still logoed."
The Auburn University Bookstore is selling items in their lifestyle section now and is expecting to put more inventory for this department on the floor soon. Although Coan said it's not in competition with the boutiques downtown, this new selection of clothing, technology accessories and more will make campus life all the more appealing and worthwhile.
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