Joe Questel

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George Thompson

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Mary Simmon
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Jack Webster
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Reflections - Retailers Choice Awards

Retailer and supplier excellence was recognized at The Gathering with awards to four stores and two companies.

Steve and Janelle Pickering

Steve and Janelle Pickering, owners of Parable Lemstone Christian Store in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received Christian Retailing's Independent Store of the Year Award for "outstanding contributions in the development of Christian retail."

Similar honors from The Church Bookstore magazine for quality stores went to church-based operations in three categories.

Large Store: Rockpile, Rock Ministries, San Diego, Jayson Payne, manager.

zzzzJayson Payne - Manager Rockpile, San Diego

Mid-Sized Store: Passages-The Gateway Bookstore, Gateway Church, Southlake, Texas, Bobby Williams, manager.

Susan Chipman - Manager Next Step Resources

Bobby Williams - Manager, Passages-The Gateway Bookstore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Small Store: Next Step Resources, Granger Community Church, Granger, Ind., Susan Chipman, manager.

Scott Etheridge - Thomas Nelson

 

 

 

The Church Bookstore Vendor of the Year award, for "outstanding service in the development of Christian retail in the local church," went to Thomas Nelson.

 

 

 

 

 

Zondervan's Larry Avery, senior account executive, was named Salesman of the Year.

Larry Avery - Sr. Account Executive, Zondervan

Reflections - Church Stores

Church Stores Look to Gifts as 'Ministry Tools'

One trend that seemed to emerge at The Gathering was greater interest in and openness to inspirational gifts among church stores. While some carry ministry-centered items like greeting cards and products that can be given to others for evangelism and encouragement, many have been more conservative and focused on books and Bibles.

But "they are realizing that book sales are down and people are finding other places to buy them," said Geni Hulsey, president of the Church Bookstore Network. "They know they have to make that up somewhere, and they are looking for high-quality gifts that are ministry tools."

Sue Carter, manager of the Seeds Bookstore at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., which has always had an emphasis on books and music, said that one of the main reasons for attending the event had been "to look at the art and the T-shirts and to bring that back to my leadership team."

Annette Atwood, president of Show Offs Art, noted high interest from church accounts at what was "a fabulous show."  Gifts "are what is going to keep them afloat, really," she said.  "I had some stores say they weren't allowed to carry gifts so they placed orders to decorate offices in the church" to show how gift products could offer ministry value.

"We have had a lot of church bookstores order from us," said Angela Riess, vice president of operations for Glory Haus.

Reflections - Suppliers

Suppliers Report Good Business at The Gathering

Suppliers reported good business and an encouraging spirit at The Gathering 2010.

The event was "very good" for Thomas Nelson, said Inside Sales Consultant for Christian Retail Sales Scott Etheridge, who told Christian Retailing that sales had been strong and consistent. There had been a good response to its new Jack Countryman gift-book spinner rack to be available from the fall, he said.
"There has been a lot of interest," Etheridge said. "A lot of stores do well with gift books, but don't really have a home for them all in one spot. We have found if you can do that and call them out, your sales increase."

Bob Spooner, marketing director for Robert Spooner Galerie, said that there had been a good response to the lower price points the company has introduced with new lines that aimed to continue its reputation for high-end and quality wall art, while dropping prices to offer more value.

Stores seemed to be coming out of the worst effects of the recent recession, he said. "They are still trying to keep inventories low, but they are starting to buy again. We have had several people say, 'We are empty, we need product soon.' "
STL Distribution North America President Glenn Bailey said that the company had signed up a handful of new accounts and that "all things considered, it has been definitely worthwhile being here."

He added: "My sense is we are all just waiting for the next The Shack or The Love Dare or Crazy Love. We are just one book away from feeling pretty good."
At Spring Arbor, Southeast Regional Account Manager Barbara Rego said she had connected with current customers and some prospective new accounts. "I think people are very positive, but that is the nature of a Christian, to be up."
First-time Christian trade event exhibitor Darryl Shellhamer¯whose SDS Designs Associates has recently added a faith-based line to its popular car magnet collections¯said that though the show was small compared to some he had been to, "I got more accomplished here than at some of the mega shows I have attended."

He added: "I have found an industry that is different from any I have ever been involved in."

For new publisher Inspired Faith, debuting at The Gathering with interactive gift books containing inspirational movie DVDs, CBA Channel Director Chris Robinette reported a good response and appreciation that the new line was available only to specialty retailers.