Every year, at the annual ICBA Retail Conference, stores who have achieved outstanding financial performance are recognized for their accomplishments. On Wednesday, February 15th at the ICBA 2017 Retail Conference in Las Vegas, Pat McGowan, Director of the University Bookstore at the University of Wisconsin Madison, presented six ICBA stores with awards for excellence in the following categories:
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 Course Materials Management

 Insignia Product Performance

 Student Supply Management
 Technology Product Management

 Overall Outstanding Performance
Criteria for this year's Best Practices & Top Performers Awards are as follows:
- Winner must have participated in the ICSR survey for the past 5 years
- Top performances or best practices demonstrating successful execution of business strategies from 2011 to 2016
- Award categories are determined based on the review of the 2015-16 results (not pre-determined)
- Emphasis on more challenging areas of the college store business
- Performance was influenced by internal leadership and strategy development and execution
MVP FOR OVERALL OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
From 2011-12 to 2015-16:
- Increased overall sales by 14% over 5 years
- Increased overall sales by 6% over 1 year
- Text sales up
- Technology sales up
- Supply sales up
- Insignia sales up
- Expenses down
- Net Income increase over 300%!
EXCELLENCE IN COURSE MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
From 2011-12 to 2015-16:
- Increased overall sales by 60%
- Continue to excel and beat excellent prior year performance (winner last year also)
- Inventory turns up 23% over last year
- Maintained margin in excess of 27%
OUTSTANDING INSIGNIA PRODUCT PERFORMANCE
From 2011-12 to 2015-16:

- Increased insignia product sales 122% over 5 years
- Increased insignia product sales 25% over 1 year
- Inventory turnover increased 23% over 1 year
- Maintained margin in excess of 45% for all five years
OUTSTANDING INSIGNIA PRODUCT PERFORMANCE
From 2011-12 to 2015-16:
- Increased insignia product sales 60% over 5 years
- Increased insignia product sales 28% over 1 year
- Inventory turnover increased 62% to 3.8 turns
EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT SUPPLY MANAGEMENT
From 2011-12 to 2015-16:
- Increased student supply sales 44% over 5 years
- Increased student supply sales 25% over 1 year
- Increased gross margin to 53%
- Increased turns by 20%
EXCELLENCE IN TECHNOLOGY PRODUCT MANAGEMENT
From 2011-12 to 2015-16:
- Increased technology product sales 19% over 5 years
- Increased technology product sales 6% over 1 year
- $11 million in sales, margin % in excess of 10%
About the ICSR:Â
The Independent College Stores Report (ICSR) is a joint ICBA and Large Stores Group (LSG) financial survey that gathers data from independent college stores and presents it in a way that can be used for improved benchmarking, strategic planning, and decision-making.Considered to be one of the most valued membership benefits, the Independent College Stores Report is available to all ICBA members that participate.
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