The University of California, Davis, and Amazon are piloting a first-of-its kind online program that complements 51ԹϺ Davis’ retail operations and supports student programs, services and a new scholarship.
When Amazon Student members shop at or any other customers start their shopping on the 51ԹϺ Davis storefront, , 51ԹϺ Davis will receive a little more than 2 percent of most purchases (net of returns). The program launched fall 2013.
Plans call for at least $40,000 of the proceeds to fund the development of a textbook scholarship in collaboration with We Are Aggie Pride, a student-led group that raises money to provide emergency funding for 51ԹϺ Davis students in need. Additional revenue will help support student programs and services.
Bookstore is innovator
51ԹϺ Davis Stores, an independent, nonprofit bookstore, has a long tradition of innovation in service to the students and community of 51ԹϺ Davis. Jason Lorgan, director of 51ԹϺ Davis Stores, said Amazon approached 51ԹϺ Davis Stores to pilot this program because it is among the top-earning university bookstores in the Amazon Associates program.
“The collaboration is a win-win for the university and its students,” Lorgan said. “The site complements the existing 51ԹϺ Davis retail operations and provides additional items that we’re unable to provide,” he said. “We expect it will generate significant revenue for the university and do not believe it will harm our in-store sales.”
The easiest way for students to participate is by signing up for a free six-month trial membership of Amazon Student at . The membership provides free two-day shipping on millions of items, and then when students join Amazon Prime for $39 a year (50 percent off Amazon Prime’s standard rate), they receive free access to hundreds of thousands of e-books in the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, unlimited streaming of 41,000 movies and television episodes, and exclusive deals and offers for students.
Extension of long relationship
The pilot project for is an extension of a longer relationship with Amazon, which has been among the retailers participating in the online price comparison program that 51ԹϺ Davis Stores offers.
51ԹϺ Davis was the first to offer online price comparisons among about a dozen textbook retailers, as well as convenient online purchases at those retailers. More than 350 universities now offer a similar service. 51ԹϺ Davis also has one of the largest textbook rental programs in the nation.
Bookstore helps fund students programs, services
The mission of 51ԹϺ Davis Stores — which operates eight locations on campus, in downtown Davis and near the university’s Sacramento campus — is to provide the tools of education at the lowest possible cost and to point students to other retailers as an option so they can choose the lowest price.
51ԹϺ Davis Stores helps fund the operation of the Memorial Union and its student programs and services. Last fiscal year, 51ԹϺ Davis Stores had $22,123,593 in sales and made a net contribution of $1,232,997, an increase of 75 percent from the prior year.
Lorgan said the 51ԹϺ Davis Stores advisory council, which includes student members, is helping to monitor the project’s progress.
Media Resources
Julia Ann Easley, General news (emphasis: business, K-12 outreach, education, law, government and student affairs), 530-752-8248, jaeasley@ucdavis.edu
Jason Lorgan, 51ԹϺ Davis Stores, (530) 752-9075, jplorgan@ucdavis.edu
Amazon Public Relations, Amazon Public Relations, (206) 266-7180, amazon-pr@amazon.com