Elastic bracelet sales expanding

New Day Christian Distributors continues to increase its rubber-band bracelet offerings, with sales growing as well.

In August, the distributor started selling Band Eggz comprising 18 silicone wristbands in a clear egg, sold by the dozen. The company reports sales of more than 1,200 units.

New Day also sells Silly Bandz, which were initially animal-shaped bands but now have expanded to 12 different SKUs. To date, the distributor has sold 57,000 Silly Bandz, the biggest sellers being the Western style, mainly due to LifeWay's Western-themed VBS program, said Joanna Price, New Day director of marketing and promotions.

Believer Bands, launched in December 2009, was created by three youth ministers in Alabama and allows the user to share the plan of salvation, wear a set and share a set. The original 10-pack has two each of five shapes. Now, there are also 24-packs, including He is Risen, Live the Call, God With Us (Christmas) and Shine the Light (glow in the dark). New Day reported selling more than 177,000 Believer Bands.

CTA reports that its Gospel Easter Egg is filled this year with Salvation Story Bands for an Easter surprise. Each egg comes packed with six bands and a Sharing the Salvation Story mini-booklet. “We had better sell-through last year on our Gospel Easter Eggs in the Parable chain than even the Resurrection Eggs set,” said Meagan Bowman of CTA’s trade sales division. “Last year we had a butterfly watch inside, and naturally it made sense to fill the eggs with a trend kids are still loving for this year's version.”