CRS typically hosts two collegiate challenges each year.  Challenges are open to undergraduate students from any 2 or 4-year university.  Students are invited to compete in teams of 3-4 and need to have the support of a faculty advisor. Teams submit an executive summary and present to a panel of judges at the DeSales University campus in Center Valley.

Competitions are sponsored by a retail organization.  Past and future sponsoring organizations are Sherwin-Williams, Walmart, Clemens Food Group/Hatfield, Brenntag, and Giant Food Stores.  Topics have included how to increase online sales and how to increase sales to a specific market.