VenHub and Follett Higher Education Form Strategic Partnership to Expand 24/7 Autonomous Retail Across College and University Campuses
Key Highlights
- ➤VenHub and Follett form partnership for 24/7 autonomous campus retail.
- ➤Deployments target Follett-served U.S. campuses across multiple high-traffic locations.
- ➤Follett serves more than 1,000 colleges and universities across North America.
- ➤Smart Stores will offer essentials, licensed merchandise, and seasonal products.
- ➤Partnership may expand to campuses outside the United States over time.
Expert Statements
Shahan Ohanessian, Founder and CEO of VenHub
“Follett has built an exceptional campus retail presence and a deep understanding of the products, services, and experiences that campus communities value”
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.”
Shahan Ohanessian, Founder and CEO of VenHub
“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.”
Emmanuel Kolady, CEO of Follett Higher Education
“Campus communities expect convenient, flexible access to everyday essentials and campus-branded merchandise.”
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.”
Shahan Ohanessian, Founder and CEO of VenHub
“Autonomous retail is particularly well suited for environments that need convenient access, flexible footprints, and the ability to serve customers beyond standard operating hours,”
Shahan Ohanessian, Founder and CEO of VenHub
“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.”
LAS VEGAS, Oct. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VenHub Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: VHUB) (“VenHub” or the “Company”), a leader in fully autonomous Smart Store technology, and Follett Higher Education, a leading educational service provider and the largest campus retailer in North America, today announced a strategic partnership aimed at creating a new 24/7 campus retail channel through the deployment of VenHub Smart Stores across Follett-served college and university campuses in the United States. 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.
Rather than a single-location initiative, 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. Every deployment will be planned together with Follett’s campus partners and shaped by the needs of each campus. Each college or university Smart Store can be customized with the institution’s colors, logos, and branding, positioning the store as a natural extension of the campus rather than a generic merchandise kiosk.
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