Coburn Palmer / Roundup
The Pierce College bookstore remains competitive despite competition from online retailers, according to the new manager Kim Saunders.
Kim Saunders has recently taken over management of the Pierce College Bookstore.
Saunders is in charge of managing not only the bookstore but the Freudian Sip and Copy Tech as well. Her employees number 30-60 depending on the season.
Her predecessor Greg Osweiler left her with a bookstore able to compete in the modern era of online bookstores.
“I inherited an online virtual bookstore and a book rental program.”
The book rental program is comprised of select titles rented to students for fees based on availability.
Despite competition from online booksellers and off campus bookstores many students still purchase their college textbooks at the bookstore for a variety of reasons.
“Its just simpler, I don’t have a computer,” said CharDonai Brooks.
Still some students have mixed emotions about purchasing books from the college bookstore.
“It’s a lot easier just a lot more expensive,” said sophmore Kelly Wood.
Saunders is aware of the difficulty students face.
“In desperation to find a lower price some students chose to take that risk,” Saunders said.
Saunders holds multiple degrees in fashion merchandising, cosmetology, and journalism.
Saunders has been with the district for five years. She started teaching retail fashion for her alma mater Los Angeles Trade Technical College.
“I appreciate the Pierce College environment, It’s a very close knit family environment,” Saunders said.I want to continue to provide the Pierce family and it students with quality products and services,”
She credits her mentor Jules Draznin for helping her learn the Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) method of communication. She keeps her business communication style direct and simple.
“The same courage it takes to make a cold call is the same courage it takes to make a business call.”
In her retail career Saunders has managed Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Garden Botanika, Barnes and Noble and she has held district management positions at Bath and Body Works, Office Max and Ross Dress for Less.
For more information visit www.piercebookstore.com