Win with the 3 C’s of success for your store

Many Christian retailers understand the concept that the gift category generally offers them a higher profit margin than other products in their store. In many cases, however, those same retailers don’t understand the merchandising strategies within their four walls that will help them maximize additional profit margins on their gift lines.

It’s not enough to purchase gift items that may offer great profitability. Using effective merchandising techniques, the retailer must also “sell” those gifts to his customers to realize those additional profits.

Help your customers express their God-given creativity

From coloring to art journaling, pen and paper are making a comeback. People of all ages feel the need to slow down and take a break from the tyranny of gadgets and the digital wave that has overcome us. Consider how texting, social media, YouTube, Netflix, news, polls, tickers, steps and calories can take over your life—if you’re not careful.

How retailers can stay up to date with the latest editions

As publishers and retailers, it is a great privilege to work with God’s Word on a daily basis. Indeed, at Crossway, we view the Scriptures as central to everything we do. Our publishing agenda, corporate structure and ministry commitments all flow from the foundational truths of the Bible. There is nothing we take more seriously than our responsibility to publish and distribute God’s Word.

Christians adopt the Jewishness of their faith through Messianic resources

A special line of books has been showing up on the shelves of most Christian retail stores in the last several decades. Not only is the number of Messianic Jews—Jews who follow Yeshua, or Jesus—growing, but more Christians are seeking greater understanding of the Jewish background of the New Testament and the Jewish context of Christianity.

Special occasions bloom with repeat sales opportunities

Spring holidays offer a wealth of sales opportunities for Christian retailers. The most recent National Retail Federation study available on sales for these holidays found that Mother’s Day ranked only behind the winter holidays and “back to school” in spending totals for 2013-14, with numbers for Easter, Father’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day falling closely behind.

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

When 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:

An interview with ECPA’s newly appointed executive director

Publishing 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.

How to satisfy the appetite of the Young Adult market

Young 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.

Adopt these 7 tips for serving Catholics in your community

Americans—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.

Increase Bible engagement with Scripture-focused children’s DVDs

Many 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.

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

You 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.

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

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.

Adopt a monthly checklist to stay on track for VBS success

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.

Why VBS is still an effective church ministry opportunity

Vacation 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.

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

People 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.