The Web-based event--hosted by Christian Retailing magazine--features 26 exhibitors presenting products and extending some special offers to buyers. Since it was launched July 20, the virtual show has attracted more than 4,500 visits--a large number of whom were first-time visitors--from 64 countries.

Releases from June to December

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AUDIO

Silent Night Vicki Howie Concordia Publishing House 978-0-758-61779-9 $13.49 July Legend holds that in 1818 mice chewed through the bellows of the old organ in St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria, but to help the congregation celebrate, Father Joseph Mohr wrote the lyrics to "Silent Night" and his friend Franz Guber set the music to lyrics. While children learn more about the legend, Silent Night focuses on the message of the carol itself-that Jesus was born as the Savior.

We Hear the Christmas Angels Evelyn Bence Oasis Audio 978-1-598-59638-0 $19.99 October True accounts of everyday people who have been touched by Christmas miracles.

A Christian remainder house based in the Midwest has opened a permanent showroom in New York City to meet growing demand.

Touted as the world's largest distributor of discount Christian media, Wholesale Christian Books (WCB) launched its 600-square-foot showroom in May, featuring approximately 2,000 titles.

"We decided to open a showroom in New York because many of our current and prospective customers travel there to buy books on a regular basis," Jerry Bloom, president of the Racine, Wisc.-based company, told Christian Retailing.

In operation for about three years, WCB's Racine facility has more than 50,000 square feet. With an inventory of more than a million books, the company carries 13,000-plus titles from more than two-dozen Christian publishers.

"We sell to everyone from independent Christian bookstore start-ups to Amazon.com,” Bloom said. "Most recently, we (began) partnering with nontraditional book retailers like Ross, DD's Discounts and Citi Trends."

He added that the secular non-book companies were "doing well" with inspirational products, including women’s devotionals, Bibles and Bible covers.

"Our partnership with nontraditional booksellers has really been the favor of God," Bloom said. "A few of these companies decided to try some titles, and now they are a top-selling category in most of their stores. I really love that we get to share the kingdom with not only thousands of end users through this channel, but also that our customers receive favor and profitability from God-centered products."

Bloom added that the company expands its visibility by exhibiting at various trade shows, including Book Expo America, The London Book Fair, International Christian Retail Show and Chicago International Remainder and Overstock Book Exposition (CIROBE).

"Our business is thriving and growing in every direction," he said. "I have hope for Christian publishing and Christian retail. I believe that it is a key time for the industry to help train business people on how to adapt to the current business environment. Integrating bargain products into retail stores is a key way to produce store traffic and profits in any economy."

Meanwhile, the dates for the Inspirational Value Book Show (IVBS)—the only bargain show for the Christian book industry—has been announced. The third annual event is set for Jan. 13-14, 2010 in Nashville.

Despite cold weather and a down economy, vendors' sales and retailer attendance increased for the show earlier this year. Held Jan. 14-16 in Nashville, IVBS drew 20 exhibitors—up from 16 vendors who participated at the inaugural show last year. The event attracted 65 stores and 106 representatives, compared to 41 stores and 65 representatives from the 2008 show, organizers said.

Scheduled to exhibit at the 2010 show, David C. Cook, Harvest House Publishers, Moody Publishers, Whitaker House and Zondervan were among the publishers who had booths at this year's IVBS.

Times may still be tough, but there's a new sense of optimism among independent Christian retailers who are repositioning themselves for the future.

Combining a renewed focus on the big picture of their mission with heightened attention to the small details of their business, stores across the country are looking ahead with quiet confidence.

The major development was announced earlier this week by Zondervan--which publishes both the NIV and TNIV--the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT) and Biblica, holder of the NIV copyright. With more than 300 million copies sold since its first publication in 1978, the NIV will be updated to reflect changes in English usage and advances in biblical scholarship.

"We're implementing a plan that I drafted and recommended to our GMA board last week, and we all agree this is a fiscally responsible direction to go," Styll told the newspaper. "We've been tightening our belts for some time in this economy, and now we're at a point where I think it's wise to take my own salary off the books. I remain a permanent board member of the GMA and look forward to continuing our work.

Robertson's lead surgeon said he expected Robertson, 79, to make a full recovery from surgery to correct an irregular heartbeat, CBN officials said. Dr. Andy Kiser said Robertson underwent the 10-hour procedure to repair atrial fibrillation. In a separate but related procedure, doctors also removed an abnormally enlarged left appendage on Robertson's heart. They believe the growth contributed to his atrial fibrillation.