Management One returned to the ICBA Conference 2025 in Chicago, reconnecting with clients, partners, and new faces in the campus store retail community. This year, the focus was to give a fresh perspective on how campus stores can drive profitability by adopting strategies from independent retail.
As part of the Specialty Zone, Management One engaged directly with store leaders, sharing best practices on inventory planning, retail POS software, and merchandise strategy.
Find out the best tips industry experts revealed at ICBA to maximise merchandise profitability in 2025.
A Fresh Perspective on General Merchandise Profitability
Dane Cohen, Director of Retail Strategy at Management One, led the general session at ICBA, giving insights on “Driving General Merchandise Profitability: Lessons from the World of Independent Retailers.” He was joined by Ken Bankson, David Kent and Gorde Peters of The Bankson Group, bringing decades of expertise in the campus store market :
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General merchandise is more important than ever – Expanding your product offer beyond textbooks is critical for long-term success.
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Strategic inventory planning is non-negotiable – Avoiding overstock and underbuying is key to cash flow.
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Licensing is evolving – Retailers must stay ahead of shifting brand partnerships and agreements.
They concluded by agreeing that success in 2025 will come down to data-driven decision-making, smart inventory management systems, and adapting to consumer behavior.
