Students are buying 23% of textbooks over the Internet, either through the college store’s web site or another retailer, according to the National Association of College Stores. That compares with 16% of textbooks in 2004.
61% of online buyers said price was the determining factor. In addition, 21% said they shopped online because of friends’ recommendations and 18% because of professors’ recommendations.
“We have been tracking students’ purchase of textbooks online since 1998 and have seen it grow significantly,” said Julie Traylor, director of planning and research, Student Watch Campus Market Research series. “Price has always been the primary reasons students buy online, but the reasons for not buying—security and concern about buying the right product—have also lessened over time.”
Student Watch surveyed 16,000 students on 21 campuses nationwide.
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