Christian Retailing

Customer Engagement: Listen and learn Print Email
Written by Larry E. Haege   
Wednesday, 06 January 2016 02:48 PM America/New_York

5 ways to consult with customers to increase sales at your Christian retail store

iStock 000038009376 XXXLarge Steve DebenportWhen considering how to improve your store and increase traffic and sales, you may have wracked your brain, questioned your family and friends, and seriously prayed. In these times, we all have.

But what about asking for input from the people who know your store the best and pay your bills every month? Let’s look at ways God can help us best discover—from our customers—what keeps them coming in and what might bring them in more often. Consider these five methods of listening that have proven effective in Christian retail:

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Q & A: Up Close With Stan Jantz Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 06 January 2016 02:41 PM America/New_York

An interview with ECPA’s newly appointed executive director

SteveJantzPublishing executive, best-selling author and former Christian retailer Stan Jantz became the executive director of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) last fall. With a commitment to Christian publishing and retailing, Jantz talked with Christian Retailing on a wide range of topics, from mentoring aspiring publishing professionals to the value of the Christian retail store.

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Feeding the YA reader Print Email
Written by Linda Howard   
Wednesday, 04 November 2015 05:16 PM America/New_York

How to satisfy the appetite of the Young Adult market

71019019 © iStockphoto-HramovnickYoung Adult (YA) readers have been responsible for a significant portion of overall book purchases in the last few years, helping to make up for lagging sales in adult fiction and nonfiction print books. However, most of these YA sales can be attributed to general market releases. The Christian market has not kept pace with top-sellers like the “Twilight Saga,” “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent” series. Reaching this important audience with quality, engaging Christian books can provide a solid opportunity for greater revenues and spiritual growth for these readers who are currently purchasing their books at general market retail.

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Following ‘The Francis Effect’ Print Email
Written by Greg Erlandson   
Wednesday, 04 November 2015 05:06 PM America/New_York

Adopt these 7 tips for serving Catholics in your community

TheCatholicGiftStore-RomanAmericans—and Catholics around the world—were transfixed by the visit of Pope Francis in September. By all reports, he felt the same way. During his first visit to the U.S., he was clearly moved by the warm welcome he received.

Media coverage of Francis’ visit was virtually 24/7. The media followed his historic appearances in Congress and the United Nations as well as his Mass for 1.5 million Catholics in Philadelphia at the end of the weeklong World Meeting of Families gathering. The papal visit resulted in a spike in interest in the Catholic Church and in Pope Francis himself. As one of the largest publishers of books about the pope or by him, we’ve seen our sales of Francis books jump with his visit, and we don’t expect the interest to die down anytime soon.

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New ‘Superbook’ meets market need Print Email
Written by Deborah Christensen   
Wednesday, 04 November 2015 04:53 PM America/New_York

Increase Bible engagement with Scripture-focused children’s DVDs

JoyGizmoChrisMany adults recall their favorite stories from the Saturday morning cartoons or holiday classics they watched in their childhood. Recognizing the power of animation in conveying Bible-based stories, the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) created the Superbook children’s series in 1981.

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Make displays pay Print Email
Written by Michelle Amster   
Wednesday, 04 November 2015 04:48 PM America/New_York

Adopt these principles of merchandising—and watch your store sales grow

MultipleBlessings-CarolineSimasYou can learn to merchandise. I cannot even begin to tell you how many store owners and managers have said to me, “I just don’t know how to merchandise product in my store” or “I don’t have time to merchandise every time new gifts arrive.” I respectfully disagree!

Yes, there are people who are born with “the gift,” but most retailers simply must learn how to correctly merchandise product to make it sell. After all, that is the whole reason why merchandising is so important.

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Create events with ‘lifetime value’ Print Email
Written by Kathleen Samuelson   
Wednesday, 07 October 2015 10:58 AM America/New_York

How signings and more can help your store reach long-term goals

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What if you threw a party and no one came? The very thought of nobody showing up for a specially planned event or appearance can make any retailer cringe.

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VBS goes year round at retail Print Email
Written by Dr. Julie Horner   
Wednesday, 07 October 2015 10:50 AM America/New_York

Adopt a monthly checklist to stay on track for VBS success

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Christian retailers can serve as vital partners to the church in the ministry of Vacation Bible School. If your store has a well-planned effort to promote VBS resources, you’re all set! But if you have never carried VBS resources or stopped doing so a few years back, the following checklist is designed to help you reconsider getting involved in this life-changing ministry.

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VBS: Introducing children to Jesus Print Email
Written by Jody Brolsma   
Wednesday, 07 October 2015 10:42 AM America/New_York

Why VBS is still an effective church ministry opportunity

F-BroslanVacation Bible School has been a staple in children’s ministry for more than a century. Launched in 1894 in Hopedale, Illinois, what is now known as “VBS” has brought many children to Christ and ministered to their families—and it all started because a teacher wanted more time with his students.

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Walking in ‘divine health’ Print Email
Written by Jevon Bolden   
Wednesday, 07 October 2015 10:31 AM America/New_York

Appealing to the health-conscious in your customer base and community

F-BoldenPeople used to run to their doctor, pharmacy or fad-diet guru to help them heal their bodies and lose weight. But in this age of on-demand, up-to-the-minute health research and an all-out hunt to expose “the man” behind the “Big Food” and “Big Pharm” curtain, many no longer believe that the state of their health lies in the hands of “trusted” authorities. Instead, they are becoming their own health advocates.

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Building trust with the church client Print Email
Written by Steve Antunes   
Wednesday, 07 October 2015 10:24 AM America/New_York

How to serve the special needs of the local church supplies customer

F-AntunesChristian retailers specializing in church sales find that their business is very different than a normal retail operation. The clients’ purchase triggers, needs and service requirements are unique—so too are the actual purchasers. Millennials, Gen Xers and boomers alike are making purchases, but their shopping styles are different.

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Prepare to profit at industry shows Print Email
Written by Sherry Morris   
Wednesday, 05 August 2015 12:54 PM America/New_York

Make use of these important tips for trade show and armchair travelers alike

F-MorrisExperience is often touted as the best teacher. But even experienced trade show attendees can benefit from strategic planning in order to get the most value from going to a show.

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Starting the New Year right Print Email
Written by Morgan Gibson   
Wednesday, 05 August 2015 12:50 PM America/New_York

Preparing now to grow your store’s sales of calendars and journals

F-GibsonWith 2016 right around the corner, consumers are looking to purchase new journals and calendars for the coming year. Christian retailers know the value of being prepared for this important season, so here is a quick guide to help you make sure your store is appropriately stocked with the right products and right styles at just the right time.

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The promise of Christian gifts Print Email
Written by Stephanie Flinn   
Wednesday, 05 August 2015 12:47 PM America/New_York

Meeting retail customer needs with meaningful products

F-FLINNA promise, by definition, is a reason to expect something. Promise is such an interesting word to pair with gifts, as generally gifts are most fun to receive when they are unexpected. However, it is completely fair to expect gifts to be an important part of your daily cash-register totals when stocking wisely for your guests. It is our job as wholesalers and retailers to have just the right gift ready for purchase at just the right time, for that heartwarming moment that fulfills both giver and receiver.

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Wearing the gospel Print Email
Written by Jayme Brandt   
Wednesday, 05 August 2015 12:44 PM America/New_York

Making a commitment to Scripture-driven apparel

F-BrandtMessages burning inside our hearts have a way of getting out. We share our passions in the oversaturated world of opinions known as Facebook, then hear the arguments, the overanalysis, the insults. Hiding behind computer screens from distant IP addresses, social media users share their opinions, but, perhaps, don’t really connect.

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