College Insights · Article

Insights Interview: COVID-19, College Stores and Gen Z

June 11, 2020

More than half of college students are thinking about changing their academic or professional plans due to COVID-19 – which could mean anything from deciding to pursue a graduate degree to taking a semester off or delaying their job search.

Such research and insights are crucial to navigating times of rapid change and disruption.

Ken Wincko, Barnes & Noble College’s Vice President of Marketing, recently spoke with Julia Raymond, global director of research at Valtech, for the RETHINK Retail podcast. The discussion centered on students, highlighting how they’ve been impacted by the pandemic and new ways to provide enhanced academic support and retail experiences.

The conversation provides a sneak peek at upcoming studies Barnes & Noble College will release in the coming weeks, including the annual Student Pulse report and research specific to COVID-19.

Mr. Wincko shares specific research findings and insights on:

• Student plans, priorities and challenges in the wake of COVID-19

• Updated safety measures and services at college stores in response to COVID-19 and evolving student needs

• Gen Z values and behaviors that guide their preferences for brands and retail experiences

• Preferred marketing channels and approaches to reach Gen Z

RETHINK Retail podcast with Ken Winkco

More Insights

Academic Solutions · Article
The Rapid & Continued Growth of First Day® Affordable Access Programs
With 191 campus stores now offering BNC’s First Day® Complete affordable access program, approximately 950,000 undergraduate and graduate students—up from 800,000 in the 2023 fall term—benefit from improved course material access, convenience, and affordability.
01 / 30 / 2025
Academic Solutions · Article
Ensuring a Successful First Day® Complete Implementation
Administrators from two new First Day Complete partner schools share implementation best practices as they discussed their recent program launches.
01 / 30 / 2025
Academic Solutions · Article
Five Ways Affordable Access Benefits Students and Institutions
Administrators from Northern Virginia Community College and East Carolina University share their reasons for implementing BNC’s equitable access program, First Day® Complete, in fall 2024.
01 / 30 / 2025