For release: February 11, 2011
For press information, contact Curt Guenther, 901-678-2843

The Follett Higher Education Group, a leader in operating college bookstores, has been selected by the University of Memphis to operate its campus bookstore.  A ten-year contract between the U of M and Follett will be effective Thursday, March 3^rd.

Current bookstore operator Barnes and Noble will continue to manage the store until Friday, March 4th.  Follett will assume the management duties officially on Tuesday, March 8th.  The transition from one operator to another will take place during the University’s Spring break during the week of March 7, so it will not adversely affect students.  During that time, the store will be closed so Follett can set up its operation.

Follett will operate the on-campus facility until a new University bookstore is built in the planned Highland Row Shopping Center.  That area, to be situated on the site of the Highland Street Church of Christ at 443 South Highland, is expected to be completed by developers Poag and McEwen sometime in 2012.

The current facility, located in the V. Lane Rawlins Service Court built in 1999, encompasses 22,000 square feet and includes a café.

Follett is the premier wholesale book distributor for all of higher education and is the nation’s largest operator of college bookstores, with more than 800 such stores under its management across the country.  It is also one of the largest online retailers, at www.efollett.com.