Reaching College Students

Are you trying to reach the elusive college student demographic at your store? A new survey from the National Association of College Stores (NACS) asked 587 college students what they want for Christmas--and 19 percent said gift cards or money.

While it may seem strange, electronics were at the bottom of the list, Gifts and Decorative Accessories reported, because most college students already have the electronics they need and/or want.

So what can retailers stock in hopes of grabbing the attention of college students? Organic, recycled and Fair Trade items.

''According to our Student Watch survey, college-bound students showed a penchant for purchasing items made from recycled materials, Fair Trade products and organic alternatives in categories such as food and beverage or health and beauty products,'' said Karen Bartelme, researcher in charge of NACS Collegiate Research Services program. ''A gift card or cash has the double benefit of allowing them to avoid un-cool gifts from grandma, while at the same time voting for causes that are important to them with their pocketbooks.''

~Kimberly Maul