Campus Stores with Brian Wright from the Vol Shop!

Christine Russo, the host and creator of What Just Happened, recently welcomed Brian Wright, Director of VolShop at the University of Tennessee, to discuss his approach to campus retail leadership. With a sprawling operation across 14 locations, VolShop handles everything from books and tech supplies to sports concessions and partnerships with renowned brands like Lululemon. To optimize customer experiences during peak demand, such as during product launches, Wright deployed innovative measures like the Wait while system. This system, inspired by pandemic-era shopping adaptations, required customers to reserve shopping slots, ensuring efficient service and inventory management.

By emphasizing purpose over profits, Wright aims to align retail operations with the needs of students and visitors, fostering a positive and memorable experience.

Wright's leadership philosophy is rooted in servant leadership, a concept he adopted early in his career thanks to a mentor. He views his role as an opportunity to serve and support students, employees, and the broader university community. This approach translates into both professional development and meaningful interactions with his team, enabling them to grow individually. Through a combination of innovation and a people-first mindset, Wright balances the demands of retail fundamentals with the evolving needs of a tech-driven world, positioning VolShop as a model for integrating retail, education, and community impact.