The Retail Division at the U.S. Naval Academy has returned from Jacksonville, Florida, - energized, inspired, and proudly recognized on a national stage.
After another outstanding week at the annual meeting of the Independent College Bookstore Association (ICBA), the team came home with not only fresh ideas and strengthened partnerships, but also with a prestigious honor that reflects years of dedication and teamwork.
Related: History of the MidStore: From Lone Storekeeper to New Shop
A Week of Retail Collaboration
Mr. Chuck Morrow (Deputy Director of Retail Merchandise & Operations), who leads the Retail Division, described the experience as both energizing and deeply meaningful. “We’ve wrapped another outstanding week at the Independent College Bookstore Association annual meeting in Jacksonville,” Morrow shared. The ICBA annual meeting is more than a conference. It is a gathering of independent college stores from across the country, an opportunity to collaborate, benchmark performance, and explore innovations shaping the future of collegiate retail. For the Naval Academy’s Retail Division, participation is an investment in excellence.
“Watching our team engage - asking questions, comparing notes, and pushing themselves to find that next level for the Retail Division - is consistently one of the highlights of my time there,” Morrow said.
That drive to improve is backed by data. Each year, the Retail Division participates in the Independent College Store Report (ICSR), submitting annual financial data to benchmark performance against peer institutions. This year, 84 stores contributed to the report, creating a robust comparison across the independent college retail landscape.
Gaining Top Rank on the National Stage
The results were impressive. The Naval Academy Retail Division, which includes the Midshipmen Store, Visitor Center Gift Shop, and NavyOnline, were ranked 16th in annual sales, positioned just below UC Davis and the University of Colorado Boulder, and just above UC San Diego and Auburn University. For a mission-driven retail operation serving the Brigade of Midshipmen, that ranking reflects both operational strength and a clear understanding of its unique customer base.
The ICSR report provides valuable insight into key performance metrics, including sales, margin, and inventory turn. It serves as both a mirror and a roadmap, highlighting strengths and identifying opportunities for continued growth. The report is available to staff in the Retail Division’s shared drive, reinforcing the team’s culture of transparency and continuous improvement.
But this year brought something even more exciting.
A Vote of Excellence
Because the Retail Division has submitted data consistently for the past three years, it was included in a select group of 70 stores reviewed by the ICSR Committee for special recognition. From that pool, honorees are chosen across several categories: Course Materials, Imprint Merchandise, School Supplies, Technology, and Overall Store Performance.
In 2026, the Naval Academy Retail Division earned recognition for Excellence in Overall Store Performance.
The award represents more than strong financials. It reflects balance: Healthy margins, effective inventory management, strategic merchandising, and above all, a commitment to serving its students with purpose and professionalism.
Morrow made it clear that the recognition belongs to the entire team. “No single person or department earns an award like this,” he said. “It reflects a unified team committed to serving the Brigade with efficiency, pride, and purpose.”
A Total Team Effort
During these acceptance remarks, Morrow captured the heart of the achievement.
“I shared that there were a hundred reasons we earned this recognition, and all one hundred are the people - both within Retail and in the departments that support us - who show up every day to serve the Brigade. I had more to say, but got too emotional to continue.”
That emotion speaks volumes. Behind every statistic and ranking are the staff members who stock shelves, reconcile inventory, manage vendor relationships, assist customers including Midshipmen, Faculty, Staff, Alumni and guests visiting the Academy. Their work directly supports the Brigade’s daily life and mission readiness.
The recognition also underscores the collaborative spirit that defines the Yard. Retail’s success is intertwined with the efforts of logistics teams, finance professionals, IT support, and leadership across departments. It is a shared accomplishment.
Morrow summed it up simply: “I couldn’t be prouder of this team and of the colleagues who work alongside us to make our success possible.”
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More to Come
As the Retail Division looks ahead, the ICBA meeting has provided more than accolades. It has sparked new ideas, strengthened partnerships, and reinforced a commitment to continuous growth. The benchmarking data will inform strategy. Vendor conversations will shape future offerings. And the award itself serves as motivation to keep raising the bar.
For the Naval Academy community, it is a moment worth celebrating. Excellence in Overall Store Performance is not just a title, it’s a reflection of a team that serves with integrity, discipline, and heart.
And if this year’s energy is any indication, they are just getting started.
