INDEPENDENT COLLEGE STORES REPORT
The Independent College Stores Report (ICSR) is a joint project of ICBA and the Large Stores Group (LSG) and represents the most comprehensive financial survey of independent stores. The data reported in the ICSR offer a current snapshot of the independent college store channel and reflect the trends that are redefining our businesses.
Many members use the data as part of their effort to evaluate the performance of their stores and to plan strategy for the future. While performance goals and business objectives will vary from store to store, the ICSR offers comparative data that you can use to measure your progress and set benchmarks for key performance indicators.
The ICSR data and results are confidential and are available only to ICBA Members and LSG Members who formally submit their store's ICSR Survey data.
THE 2025 INDEPENDENT COLLEGE STORES REPORT SURVEY
The 2025 ICSR Financial Survey has closed and the 2025 Report was released. If you completed the 2025 Survey and did not receive a copy of your report, or aren't sure how to access it, please email us at ICSR@ICBAinc.com. Watch for details about the 2026 Survey in Fall 2026.
2025 ICSR AWARDS
Each year, the ICSR Awards Committee reviews ICSR Survey results in each product category and identifies stores that have achieved sustained high performance. The Awards Committee considers sales, gross margin, inventory turns, and other key performance metrics. The Committee also interviews the management teams at these high performing stores to get additional insight into strategies and decisions that led to success. The ICSR Awards are announced and award-winning stores are recognized at the Annual ICBA Conference.
Award Categories Include:
Congratulations to the 2024-2025 ICSR Award Winners!
Excellence in Course Materials Management
The University of Minnesota Bookstores
From 2022-2023 to 2024-25:
- Increased Sales 50% ($9.3M up to $13.9M)
- 38% Gross Margin
- 6.2 Turns
- Total Store sales increase of 23%
The Utah State University Campus Store
From 2022-2023 to 2024-25:
- Increased Sales 68% ($4.6M up to $7.6M)
- 36% Gross Margin
- 3.9 Turns
- Total Store sales increase of 44%
Excellence in Technology Product Management
Wolfpack Outfitters, the NC State Store
From 2022-2023 to 2024-25:
- Increased Sales 47% ($2.2M up to $3.2M)
- 14.5% Gross Margin
- 11.7 Turns
- Total Store sales increase of 43%
Excellence in Insignia Product Performance
University Book Store, serving the University of Washington
From 2022-2023 to 2024-25:
- Increased Sales 29% ($5.9M up to $7.6M)
- 50% Gross Margin
- 4.3 Turns
- Total Store sales increase of 8%
University Co-op, serving The University of Texas at Austin
From 2022-2023 to 2024-25:
- Increased Sales 22% ($21.7M up to $26.4M)
- 51% Gross Margin
- 4.4 Turns
- Total Store sales increase of 22%
Excellence in Supplies Performance
The UCLA Store
From 2022-2023 to 2024-25:
- Increased Sales 4% ($5.5M up to $5.7M)
- 25.10% Gross Margin
- 2.3 Turns
- Total Store sales increase of 20%
Excellence in Overall Store Management
The Midshipmen Store at the U.S. Naval Academy
From 2022-2023 to 2024-25:
- No Course Materials Sales!
- Total Store Sales increase of 7% ($21.4M up to $22.9M)
- Total Overall Store Gross Margin increase of 13% (39.2% up to 44.4%)
- Total Overall Turns increase of 154% (2.8 up to 7.1)
- Total Net Income increase of 63%
