About Us

We are the leading resource and advocate for the higher education retail market. 

Find out what we stand for.

We are committed to serving our members and the higher education community.

Purpose 

The National Association of College Stores (NACS) serves as the primary resource for those business professionals managing and working in campus-based retail operations, with a particular emphasis on the stores that are owned by the institution, its faculty, or its students.

Vision

NACS will elevate student success by supporting dynamic campus retail centers that are an integral part of the campus experience.

Mission

NACS works to successfully integrate the collegiate retail industry into the higher education ecosystem through advocacy, strategic partnerships, innovative direction, education, and resources that support student academic success and the campus experience.

Value Proposition 

As the leading trade association for campus-based retail businesses, NACS prioritizes the success of its member stores, the professionals who operate them, and the institutions they serve. To enable this success, NACS advocates on behalf of the industry and profession, develops and advances knowledge, creates networking opportunities, serves as a connection with business partners, inspires thought leadership, prepares for future workforce skills, and ultimately creates a recognized value of the campus store among students, faculty, and other stakeholders in higher education.

Core Values.

Collaboration

Encourage a spirit of partnership and common interest among members, affiliates, and the higher education community 

Integrity

Operate with credibility, integrity, and high professional standards while expecting the same of members and the industry 

Innovation

Foster new knowledge and a commitment to continuous learning opportunities 

Inclusion

Foster and support diversity, creating an inclusive and engaged community 

Excellence

Exercise stewardship and leadership, maintain and support industry standards, and provide high-quality programs, services, and member experiences.

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We represent the
college store industry

For 100 years, the National Association of College Stores (NACS) has been the professional trade association for the $10 billion campus store industry. We represent nearly 4,000 campuses in the U.S. and Canada, and approximately 1,000 companies that supply goods and services to campus stores.

We empower stores to support student success, the campus experience, and the academic missions of higher education institutions through a variety of programs, services, and strategic partnerships.

NACS is headquartered in Oberlin, Oh, with remote offices around the U.S.

We educate and support

Together with our philanthropic arm, the NACS Foundation, we support industry research and provide educational grants to campus store professionals for education and professional development.

Our annual event, CAMEX, is the world’s largest educational conference and buying trade show for the campus store marketplace. It attracts store professionals from the United States, Canada, and beyond, as well as exhibiting companies that provide goods and services to the industry.

NACS also hosts a number of conferences supporting the needs of the industry.
A man is sitting at a desk in front of a laptop computer writing on a piece of paper.
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NACS membership

NACS member benefits include research and information, advocacy, affinity programs, and networking opportunities. NACS education and professional development opportunities cover the full spectrum of campus store operations, including management, textbooks and course materials, merchandising, financial analysis, and more.

We provide our members with important industry information and developments, via multiple communication outlets including: The College Store, a bimonthly trade magazine published since 1930; The Hub online community; and Campus Marketplace, a weekly e-newsletter.

Our Leadership

NACS is governed by a Board of Trustees from across the college store industry.
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Our Careers

 NACS provides resources to help support career and succession planning in college stores.
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NACS Foundation

The NACS Foundation is a philanthropic organization focused on driving the success of independent college stores and their support of their institutions’ academic missions and cultivation of their institutions’ school spirit and sense of community.

This is accomplished through industry-related research and education as well as the development and utilization of performance standards designed to ensure the value of the store to its community.
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PartnerShip

PartnerShip LLC is a trusted transportation broker that has been dedicated to the college industry since 1989. 

Through PartnerShip, NACS members can reduce their shipping costs and ship smarter. The team at PartnerShip understands the unique needs of college stores and is committed to providing expert guidance and personalized service.

For small package shipments, NACS members have access to industry leading discounts with FedEx. For freight shipments over 150 lbs, members receive competitive rates from TForce, XPO, ArcBest, R+L, and many other reputable carriers. 

OnCampus Research

OnCampus Research®, a division of the National Association of College Stores (NACS), provides key insights and industry-specific data from students, faculty, and campus store operations.

They offer industry research, satisfaction survey services, student focus groups and surveys, and customized market research. As a NACS member, you can access valuable financial data resources such as monthly same store sales data.

The latest statistics and general information on the college store industry can be found here.
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Media Room

Browse our press releases or
select media contacts to reach out
to our team

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The HUB

In this unique online gathering place, you can more easily communicate, share, and stay in touch with your campus retailing colleagues.
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Annual Reports

The National Association of College Store's current and past annual reports and bylaws.

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