Autonomous c-store chain VenHub has announced a new partnership with Follett Higher Education, an educational service provider and the largest campus retailer in North America, to create a new 24/7 campus retail channel through the development of VenHub Smart Stores across Follett-served college campuses in the U.S.
By combining VenHub’s autonomous retail technology with Follett’s established campus retail ecosystem, the companies aim to create an expanded channel for delivering campus merchandise and convenience products where and when customers want them.
The partnership establishes a framework for deploying VenHub’s automated retail format across a broad network of higher-education environments. The model can support locations at residence halls, student centers, athletic facilities, arenas, transit areas, satellite campuses and other high-traffic campus settings.
Each college or university Smart Store can be customized with the institution’s colors, logos and branding.
“Follett has built an exceptional campus retail presence and a deep understanding of the products, services and experiences that campus communities value,” said Shahan Ohanessian, founder and CEO of VenHub. “Together, we are creating a scalable autonomous retail channel that can expand the deployment of our Smart Stores across college and university campuses and help bring Follett’s trusted merchandise and campus essentials into more locations. Our Smart Stores already serve customers beyond conventional store hours at high-traffic locations such as LAX and Union Station, and with this new partnership, we are looking forward to meeting students and visitors where they already live, learn, and gather.”
Through the partnership, Follett will have the ability to expand its existing physical and digital retail ecosystem with an additional on-campus format: autonomous retail locations capable of operating around the clock.
With the VenHub Smart Store deployments, campus communities will have greater access to Follett merchandise during evenings, weekends, game days, special events and other periods when traditional campus stores may be closed or less convenient to reach.
“Campus communities expect convenient, flexible access to everyday essentials and campus-branded merchandise,” said Emmanuel Kolady, CEO of Follett Higher Education. “Our partnership with VenHub provides an opportunity to extend the campus retail experience beyond the campus store, working hand in hand with each institution to serve more students, faculty, fans, alumni, and visitors across campus.”
The strategic partnership has the potential to expand to campuses outside the U.S. over time.
“Autonomous retail is particularly well suited for environments that need convenient access, flexible footprints and the ability to serve customers beyond standard operating hours,” said Ohanessian. “Follett’s campus network and retail expertise, combined with VenHub’s autonomous Smart Store platform, create a meaningful opportunity to bring a new level of availability and convenience to college and university communities.”
