NACS, Ingram in College Deal

In a move that makes it easier and more efficient for college bookstores to order and return books, the National Association of College Stores and Ingram Book Co. are setting up a program under which NACS members will soon be able to buy books offered by Ingram through Nacscorp, the wholesaler owned by NACS.

The consolidated orders made through Nacscorp and fulfilled by Ingram will have Nacscorp invoices and be bought under Nacscorp terms; titles bought from Ingram under the program may be returned to Nacscorp. In addition, Nacscorp's Web site will include Ingram iPage information. Ingram will continue to sell directly to college stores on its own; titles bought by college booksellers directly from Ingram can be returned only to Ingram. The program should start in early summer.

Speaking at the CAMEX show and NACS convention in San Antonio, Tex., where the deal was announced, Len Jardine, Nacscorp president and chief operating officer, told PW that the agreement "benefits everyone: stores, us and Ingram, which is really good at shipping books." Both Jardine and Jim Chandler, Ingram's chief commercial officer, reported positive reaction from college booksellers at the show. The partners said they believe the "one-stop shopping" program will improve in-stock rates, result in faster shipping and allow a more streamlined returns process than either can provide separately.