Students Prefer to Rent Textbooks at Local College Bookstore

LINCOLN, Neb., Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nebraska Book Company today released a startling shopping trend with college students – students prefer renting textbooks through the local college bookstore over online rental companies.  According to a recent study the Company conducted through Crux Research, over 80% of college students who rented textbooks prefer to rent textbooks through the local college bookstore versus going online assuming bookstore pricing is comparable to that of the online company.

The study also confirmed textbook rentals are a growing trend with 9% of students renting books in the spring 2010 term and 20% of students renting in the fall 2010 term.  In addition, nearly 80% of students plan to rent the same number or more textbooks next semester as the student rented in the current term.

Furthermore, students view renting textbooks as less expensive than buying with 45% of students believing it will cost more to buy the textbook and then sell it back at the end of the semester compared to 24% who view renting the book as more expensive.

"There has been tremendous hype in our industry about students preferring to rent textbooks through online rental companies versus their local college bookstore.  Our research shows this hype may be unwarranted," said Mike Kelly, senior vice president, textbook division, Nebraska Book Company.  "In many cases, students turned to online providers since the local bookstore was not offering textbook rentals; however, today more and more college bookstores offer students rental as an option.  Through innovative programs such as Nebraska Book Company's rental solution, college bookstores are now able to offer students a competitively priced textbook rental option and students are showing a renewed interest in their local bookstore."

Renting textbooks through the local college bookstore offers students significant benefits over renting through online companies including assurance the correct book is being rented, higher levels of customer service, greater convenience, easier returns and no shipping costs.

Kelly continued, "By partnering with college bookstores, Nebraska Book Company is able to work with the store to offer rental textbooks at more than 50% off the purchase price of a new book while still protecting the store's margins.  With the NBC program, the store remains whole financially and the student saves significant expense while not compromising quality."

More than 450 bookstores nationwide used the Nebraska Book Company textbook rental solution during the fall 2010 term.

About Nebraska Book Company

Nebraska Book Company began in 1915 with a single bookstore near the University of Nebraska campus but now serves millions of students through its network of more than 280 stores located across the country. Our Textbook Division serves more than 2,500 bookstores through the sale of over six million textbooks, and our Complementary Services Division has installed more than 1,800 technology platforms and e-commerce sites. Additional information about Nebraska Book Company can be found at the company's website: www.nebook.com.

SOURCE Nebraska Book Company