Christian Retailing

Dare to make over your store Print Email
Written by Natalie Gillespie   
Monday, 09 June 2014 04:44 PM America/New_York

Promises-SawhorseUse these five keys to create a fresh new design and layout

Online shopping may be one popular way to buy today, but a recent study shows that in-store experiences are still more valuable to customers—if the store makes them feel like they are getting a customized shopping experience.

Consulting firm A.T. Kearney recently studied the shopping patterns of more than 3,000 U.S. and U.K. consumers and found they spent 61% of their shopping time in stores.  Even better news for brick-and-mortar stores: 40% of the in-store shoppers spent more than they had originally planned, while only 25% spent more than expected when they shopped online.

Customers today have limited time and budgets, so what compels them to drive to their local Christian retail store instead of ordering online? A personalized, positive experience.

Today’s consumers head to the store for the instant gratification of taking an item home, but also to experience products and to socialize with friends and family. They want to shop in welcoming, inviting retail spaces that engage their senses. That’s why it is critical for retailers to take a good hard look at their stores and see if it’s time for a makeover.

“We are constantly moving things around, creating new displays,” said Susan Lewis, co-owner of Logos of Dallas, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this summer. “I see a difference when I do. I think it is a big deal. When I change things up, I see more movement in product. If something doesn’t work, we move it somewhere else. Just like in real estate, it’s all about location, location, location. I may have an art canvas that’s been on a wall for six months. Then I move it to a new spot, and it sells in one day.”Elynn-IceCreamJewelry

“What Christian stores need to do is make sure they are rebranding themselves as current, not stuck back in the 1980s and ’90s,” said Emily Fielitz, visual merchandiser and owner of Elynn. “You do that with new colors and signage and by creating display tables. It doesn’t have to take much time or investment. You can do it by reutilizing items that you already have.”

With reality television shows, websites and hundreds of thousands of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects on the Internet offering step-by-step advice on everything from complete makeovers to the most detailed displays, design experts say there is no excuse for any store to look dirty or dated.

“We move our store front to back and back to front at least quarterly. That includes books, Bibles, everything,” said Danni Schneidt-Hill, owner of Promises in Billings, Montana. “You know the retail rule: 80% of your customers only see 20% of your product. Just by moving the same product around, customers say, ‘Oh, look at all the new stuff you got.’ It’s not new, but it’s new to them because they are seeing it for the first time.”

Consider the following five keys to learn how you can refresh your store’s visual appeal to new and longtime customers:

1. HAUL IT ALL OUT

“Retail lives and dies based on the answer to the question: ‘What’s new?’” said Bob Phibbs, retail speaker, expert and consultant known as The Retail Doctor. “If a store has not updated in years, I would tell them to do the same thing you see on reality TV shows. Haul it all out. Take everything out of their store and clean it. Clean the whole thing. Honestly, that’s where it all starts.”

Phibbs says the advantages of emptying the store completely are many, including the chance to see old things in a new light, the opportunity to find things you didn’t even know you had and a way to give a fresh look to the store because it sparkles again.

“After that, you can add a new coat of paint or new carpet, but really cleaning everything out is the best first step,” Phibbs said. “Then we take some of the items that were in the back and put them in the front, move the shelves around, replace all the lights. Start with a clean slate, and suddenly you’ll get more optimism about your place.”

Stores should be painted at least once every three years, Fielitz suggests, because of dings, chipping and fading by sunshine and fluorescent lighting. When you paint, stick with the basics on your biggest walls, like an off-white with a little bit of gold in it, a slight brown-beige or a true beige.

“The color of the year, like this year’s Radiant Orchid, is always a fad color and will only last a year or a couple of years at the most,” Fielitz said. “You want to use really good, neutral colors on your main walls and then add what I call ‘super neutrals’ on the smallest wall or an accent wall. Make your accent wall the easiest one to paint, like a wall between two columns. Then you can change it more frequently.”

Super neutrals include true navy blue, vivid red, chocolate brown and deep gray, like the colors Ralph Lauren is known for, Fielitz noted.

“These are consistent colors, year after year,” she said. “Then you can use fabric on a wall or paper accents on displays to add in trend colors like orchid.”

Another key to freshening up your store is to make sure the light fixtures are appealing to the eye. Lights should be clean and bright enough to illuminate, but not glaring. Get to know the pros and cons of different kinds of light bulbs—fluorescent, incandescent, halogen and CFL (compact florescent light bulb).

Light fixtures can easily be created by painting old lamps or lampshades to give them a new look, hanging several shades together (like a mobile) or even making a light fixture from crib springs hung with mason jars or wrapped in Christmas lights.

2. DRAW THE EYE

Once your store sparkles, it’s time to put it back together. If you can’t empty the store, you still need to move fixtures, displays and products often to give customers something new to focus on every time they visit.

Phibbs notes that directing traffic flow with design is important. In North America, people walk into a store and turn right, then walk counter-clockwise.

“If your cashiers are in front and on the right, you have a situation where your customers who want to pay constantly have to cross through other customers just entering your store,” Phibbs said. “This limits and degrades the shopping experience.”

Keep crowding down by creating lots of open spaces and aisles. Break up your bookshelves into smaller sections. Four-foot sections are ideal, with focal points of color in the middle.

“You want to think about the 4-foot space,” said Sherry Morris, marketing manager for Carpentree. “Think: ‘How do I design this 4 feet?’ rather than just having rows and rows of bookshelves. You can add garland, Christmas lights, something to draw the eye.”

“Often, the gifts area of a store is so distinctly different than the book section that it looks like two different stores,” Fielitz said. “Break it up, have callouts. Sometimes the gift side looks like so much more fun, while the book side looks like a library. You don’t want to buy gifts at the library. Make it easier for customers to walk between your rows by adding a little seating area, or hang artwork on the ends.”

“If you never do anything else in your rows and rows of books, redo your endcaps,” Schneidt-Hill said. “Put a chair on the end with a night table and a candle with an open Bible or a book. You can do so many fun things with your endcaps.”

3. REUSE WHAT YOU HAVE

Rustic and vintage looks are extremely popular, and experts predict the trend will stay due to tighter economic times, a concern for the environment, the popularity of DIY and the nostalgia factor. That makes it easy for retailers to create new displays without a lot of cost or time by simply using things they already have or buying inexpensive items at garage sales, flea markets and thrift stores.

One example is turning wood pallets into walls, stacked displays and backdrops. They also can be cut to make shelves, tables and benches.

“We have stacked pallets and made a garden area, screwed them to the wall, painted them and done all kinds of things,” Schneidt-Hill said. “We’ve taken springs from a baby bed and hung them from the ceiling, then hung items from it. You can use old boxes, books, just about anything to add interest to a display.”

“Right now, everything is rustic, very vintage,” agreed Vicki Geist, co-owner and buyer, Cedar Springs Christian Stores, Knoxville, Tenn. “We have a little area upstairs where we just keep everything we might use. We have a little school desk and other things we can bring down as we need them.”

“You can get old books [or magazines], like Reader’s Digest and encyclopedias, and use them to display jewelry and gifts,” Fielitz said. “You can stack a few and hang them as a shelf. Hang them like a mobile with a light in the middle, and you have a new fixture.”

Fielitz said Goodwill stores and Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores can be treasure troves for retailers wanting a new look. Old plywood, lumber, windows, doors, dressers and drawers can be converted into shelves, tables, signs, room dividers and jewelry display cases. Buckets, wooden boxes and crates of different heights add depth and interest to tabletop displays. Ribbon, greenery and floral arrangements also can add warmth and color.

“A lot of stores still have the glass with brass or chrome shelving units and display cases and those just look outdated,” Fielitz said. “Sell them on Craigslist and use the money to buy some antique night tables, end tables, cabinets or fireplaces. With things like that, you can spray-paint them and do just about anything.

“Take a log and cut it into 8-inch, 6-inch, 4-inch and 2-inch risers to use as jewelry displays instead of putting it under glass,” she added. “Customers really need to see and feel the merchandise. When it is under glass, the perception is that it is too expensive or that it is cold, not inviting. It will sell better when it is more accessible.”

“A lot of my display pieces are antiques or garage sale pieces,” Schneidt-Hill said. “Right now I have two really rough sawhorses. I took an old door and put wooden boxes on top and greenery around it, then added cross vases and picture frames. It didn’t cost me anything. The old door was in my garage.

“I use accent pieces, like a guitar sitting in my music section. I’ve used badminton or tennis rackets, baseballs and footballs during sports seasons. I have a little plastic basketball hoop I put on the back side of the door, then put a table in front of the door and add a sports devotional on it.”

Schneidt-Hill says even if a retailer is extremely design-challenged and feels like he or she doesn’t have any artistic talent, simply try something new.

“You don’t have to do the whole store,” Schneidt-Hill said. “Start small and you’ll find it is easy to do. Get your staff to help. We’ve had contests for the one who can bring in a certain item from their house.”

Geist agrees that even little changes can make a big difference.

“I went and bought some paint rollers, and we turned them on their side and put bracelets on them,” she said. “Last year, we had some pieces of plastic grass and put that on the table with the jewelry on it for spring. At one of our stores, they put gift bags with the tissue paper already fluffed up in them on display right near the registers. There are about 12 different ones, and they sell constantly. We also bought some big white frames with no glass or back, and we hang those on the wall behind the registers and highlight a book or CD or DVD inside to draw attention to that product.”

4. COLOR IS KING

A splash of color often helps sell product.
“Color is king,” said Rick Segel, owner of Rick Segel and Associates and author of The Retail Sales Bible. “Just look at a presentation of towels in a big box store. It’s the color that sells you and not the product.”

“Add color touches to displays to bring out the colors on books and CDs,” Geist said. “Keep colors together and give it a clean look, not jumbled. You can buy wrapping paper and tear a little bit and put it on table displays.”

Wrapping paper, tissue paper and fabric are great ways to add color that is cheap and temporary. Gift wrap can be wrapped around flatwall, put in picture frames, torn into confetti and taped around endcaps. Tissue paper can be transformed into flowers on the wall, stuffing for gift bags, padding inside boxes and used in many other ways.

“All of my flatwall has some kind of something on it—paper, material, tissue, those kinds of things are easy,” Schneidt-Hill said. “And if you already wrap gifts for customers and have that 495-foot bolt of wrapping paper, how much energy does it take to use some on your flatwall and then put holes where you hang things? There you have it, a new look for nothing.”

“Last year I decided turquoise was my color, and I used just plain wrapping paper with a sheen to it,” Logos’ Lewis said. “I bought rolls and rolls of it and put it behind displays, under countertops, behind plexiglass. I covered pedestals with little splashes of color throughout the store. It was a fun way to refresh things.”

 “I just spent time in Branson (Missouri) and walked a row of gift stores, and I went into one where everything was just kind of stuck out there,” Morris said. “Then I went into a really beautifully arranged store, and the difference was amazing.

“The store was filled with what I call ‘vignettes,’ where they started with a framed-art piece on a wall or table or easel that set a color tone, then brought in all kinds of product—lotions, scarves, jewelry—all done around color. It was just beautiful and felt good. People wanted to shop, and they were buying. The other store had basically the same things, but all they were selling was candy and some lower-end trinkets. You need to do some vignettes that set the stage with the products you have.”

5. SHARE THE MESSAGE

While it’s easy to get ideas and step-by-step instructions, especially with the advent of Pinterest.com, it can be more difficult to create your brand. Your design should tell your story, with the emphasis on the categories that are your specialty. Customers should be able to see and hear your story, to experience your mission and ministry through signage, products with a message and personal touches.

“The two biggest trends in the world are spirituality and giving back,” said Steve Slaughter president of gift company Halle Joy. “That’s why we create products with a message with every piece. When a customer sees our jewelry, it tells a story of hope or a story of grace. And when they wear it and someone notices it, it is an opportunity for them to share the message.”

Slaughter said Christian stores who see their story as their brand and develop their strengths and specialties can offer a more customized experience to their shoppers.

“Instead of chasing promotions, stores should be building their brand,” Slaughter said. “When you go into Home Depot or Fossil or Pandora, you recognize the look, the brand. When a store starts pulling together fixtures and creating their own look, they are developing their brand. People say not to sweat the small stuff, but when we design a new line, we sweat everything. We want our pieces to look good from the front, the sides, the back. We have an eye on the current trends. We pay attention to detail, and everything has to be inspired by Scripture.”

Slaughter said customers are attracted to messages of hope and grace, and Christian stores give that hope when they share their story through inviting displays.

“Stories unite people, stories create multiple sales, stories create loyalty,” he said.
Retailers should know their community’s story too.

“Know your community, so you can do lifestyle events,” Schneidt-Hill said. “If you live in a golf-loving community, set up a mini putting green and let customers try to get a hole-in-one for a coupon. Have a basketball shoot on your lawn during basketball season. Figure out what your community loves, know its story, so you can bring them in.”

“I let local artists tell their story by bringing their pieces in on consignment,” Lewis said. “There is no financial risk to me, and it gives the artist a chance to display their work. It also freshens up the store.”

Giving a store a design overhaul can be work and fun, retailers agree. And it is crucial for any store wanting to stay competitive today.

“It does take effort and energy,” Lewis said. “I look at the industry magazines as often as I can, and I am always looking for new ideas wherever I am. Whether it’s the mall or a restaurant, I look for creative ideas. I always have my antenna up.”

Lewis said if you can’t do it yourself, enlist help. She gets assistance from a designer she met at church. Other stores use community college fashion and design students who want to add new displays to their portfolios.

“I also seek the help of my staff,” Lewis said. “I will ask my younger staff what appeals to youth. I try always to be open because I feel like with merchandising and displaying things, it can always be done better.”

“Change your displays once a month,” Morris said. “Try to look at your store with a fresh eye. Go for that quaint factor, not the ‘typical’ Christian bookstore.”

“A common mistake is thinking a business has to be in dire shape to need a makeover,” Phibbs said. “That isn’t true. Stagnant sales show up before declining sales. You want to make changes while customers are still coming in the doors. As long as you are thinking forward, that’s fun. If you’re not thinking forward, you can’t compete.”

 
Empowering the independent author Print Email
Written by Ann Byle   
Tuesday, 03 June 2014 04:56 PM America/New_York

CrossBooks-InGodWeTrustedHow writers are taking control of their careers through custom publishing

ExcelPublishers-AuthenticFire

The glittering, flag-flying Camelot of Christian publishing, with its thick walls and guarded gates, is still an achievable option for authors seeking publication. But the advent of digital publishing and the new ways customers are accessing content has thrown open the castle gates to a variety of new publishing opportunities for authors.

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Faith heads to Hollywood Print Email
Written by DeWayne Hamby   
Wednesday, 14 May 2014 08:04 AM America/New_York

Christian films dominate box office as retailers assess DVD sales potential

CityOnAHill_ActsofGodThe year 2014 will be remembered as a year when faith hit mainstream movie screens in a big way, thanks to the success of Christian-produced releases such as Son of God, God’s Not Dead, Heaven Is for Real, Mom’s Night Out and Hollywood offerings such as Noah and Exodus

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Written by LESLIE SANTAMARIA   
Tuesday, 13 May 2014 04:43 PM America/New_York

Publishers aim to maximize value for today’s children’s book shopper

BandHKids_CatieConradRecent news reports tout an economic upturn and growing consumer optimism, but Christian retailers still see customers spending cautiously and motivated by value. This includes, of course, parents and grandparents—the primary buyers of children’s products.

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Beyond the sales floor Print Email
Written by Natalie Gillespie   
Tuesday, 13 May 2014 04:37 PM America/New_York

ICRS2014LogosStackedCBA show offers retailers significant opportunities to learn

The theme of the 2014 International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) in Atlanta may be “Cause to Celebrate,” but for stores it’s an opportunity to go beyond the sales floor and hone their retailing craft. Taking place June 22-25 at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), CBA’s trade show offers stores the chance to see the latest in upcoming books, trends in décor, entertainment and gift items all in one place. It offers retailers a chance to catch up with old friends and attend some fun film premieres and events, but it also should be seen as a “boot camp” where veteran retailers, suppliers and business experts give store owners and frontliners the chance to learn more about operating a store.

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Find out who’s exhibiting at ICRS 2014 Print Email
Written by CBA   
Tuesday, 13 May 2014 02:43 PM America/New_York

ICRS2014LogosStacked33.3 Media Booth 435

AAmstamp Machine Company Booth 1259

Abbey Press Booths 617, 1319

Adventist Media Network Booth 1143

Adventist Media Network Booth 1750

Alfred Music Booth 1133

American Bible Society Booth 1535

Anchor Distributors/Whitaker House Booths 1017, 1115

Anchor Wallace Publishers Booth 1253

Art & SoulWorks—Gifts that Give Back Booth 612

Artistic Churchware Booth 1235

Authentic Publishers Booth 1352

B&H Publishing Group Booth 1218

Baker Books Booth 1201

Baker Publishing Group Booth 1201

Barbour Publishing Booth 1228

Bargain Books Wholesale Booth 1455

Beechdale Frames Booth 420

Bethany House Booth 1201

Bible Blessings Booth 417

Biblica Booth 1217

Bob Siemon Designs Booth 429

Book Depot Booth 1458

Booklog Booth 937

Bookstore Manager Software Booth 1043

Bridge-Logos, Inc. Booth 1336

Bridgestone Multimedia Group RM 103

Brilliance Audio Booth 1150

Brilliance Publishing Booth 1150

Brilliance Publishing Booth 1152

Brownlow Gifts Booth 500

BYU Music Group Booth 1142

Cactus Game Design Booth 808

Capitol Christian Distribution Booth 929

Carolina Retail Packaging Booth 713

Carpentree Booth 507

Cathedral Art Booth 422

Charisma House Booth 1151

Chosen Books Booth 1201

Christ for the Nations Booth 1355

Christian Art Gifts Booth 811

Christian Focus Publications Booth 1731

Christian Life Outreach Booth 1354

Christian Small Publishers Association Booth 1334

Christian Tools of Affirmation (CTA) Booth 518

Christianity Today Booth 1353

City on a Hill Studio Booth 1146

CLC Publications Booth 1301

CMD Distribution Booth 1139

CNI Distribution Booth 1029

Concordia Publishing HousBooth 1105

Creflo Dollar Ministries Booth 1238

CrossBooks (division of LifeWay) Booth 1204

Crossway Booth 1001

Dake Publishing Booth 1317

David C Cook Booth 1117

DaySpring Booths 800, 801

Dexsa Co. Booth 723

Dicksons Booth 529

Discovery House Publishers Booth 1206

Divinity Boutique Booth 715

Dr. Hector Caram-Andruet Booth 1154

Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk Booth 1759

Eerdmans Publishing Co. Booth 1646

Emkay Candle Co. Booth 820

EndTime Ministries Booth 939

Entertainment One Booth 945

Eternal Life (Avid Life) Booth 635

Evergreen Press Booth 1262

Every Good Gift Booth 504

Faith Library Publications Booth1229

G.T. Luscombe Co. Booth 428

Game Show Mania Booth 1145

Genesis Marketing Group Booth 640

GI Jewelry Booth 637

Good L. Corp. Booth 1047

Good Work(s) Make a Difference Booth 401

Goodknight Sales Booth 1234

Goodknight SalesBooks Booth 1234

Goodknight Sales—Gifts Booth 1234

Gospel Light Booth 1255

Granny Jo Products Booth 512

Group Publishing Booth 1121

Hachette Book Group/FaithWords Booth 1435

Haggai Books Booth 1360

Hal Leonard Corp. Booth 935

Halle Joy Booth 709

HarperCollins Christian Bargain Books Booth 1452

HarperCollins Christian Publishing Booth 1637

Harrison House Publishers Booth 1429

Harvest House Publishers Booth 1009

He Speaks Today Booth 516

Heart Gifts by Teresa Booth 534

Heartfelt/Christian Brands Booth 638

Hendrickson Publishers Booth 1305

Hermitage Art Co. Booth 1440

Holy Land Gifts Booth 539

Hotline To God Store Booth 514

Howard Books Booth 1101

Howard Imprinting Machine Co. Booth 1450

Ideals Publications/Guideposts Booth 1342

Ingram/Spring Arbor Booth 1529

Innovative Booth 816

Integra Interactive Booth 1135

International Publishers Marketing Booth 1729

James Lawrence Co. Booth 719

Kerusso Booth 501

Kid Tees by Stephen Joseph Booth 506

Kingstone Media Group Booth 1335

Kirkbride Bible Co. Booth 1243

Kregel Publications Booth 1345

Lexham Press Booth 1239

Lighthouse Christian Products Booth 701

Lion Hudson Booth 1444

Merry Christmas From Heaven Mooney TunCo Booth 419

Moody Publishers Booth 1629

Munce Group Booth 1240

Murphy Robes Booth 1553

My Healthy Church Booth 1209

Nanjing Amity Printing Co. Booth 1552

Nazarene Publishing House Booth 1051

New Day Christian Distributors Booth 517

New Leaf Publishing Group Booth 1242

Not of This World (NOTW) Booth 700

OM Ships International Booth 1558

Oodles World Booth 629

Outline Bible Resources by Leadership Ministries Booth1303

Outreach Media Group Booths 1828, 1830

P. Graham Dunn Booth 421

Parable Group Booth 1341

Plough Publishing House Booth 1652

Pretty Girls 4 Christ Booth 400

Provident Distribution Booth 1034

Rainbow Publishers/Legacy Press Booth 1550

Reformation Heritage Books Booth 1340

Revell Books Booth 1201

Rose of Bethlehem Jewelry Booth 434

Rose Publishing Booth 1212

Scripture Candy Booth 522

Send The Light Distribution Booth 1217

Shades of Color Booth 513

Shadow Mountain Publishing Booth 1453

Sight & Sound Ministries Booth 1129

Spirit & Truth Christian Jewelry Designs Booth 704

Stencib Booth 639

SW Press Booth 1451

Swanson Christian Products Booth 821

Tabbies (Xertrex International) Booth 1351

Talicor Booth 812

The Good Book Co. Booth 1315

The Great Bible Race Booth 538

Trinitarian Bible Society Booth 1241

TRISTAN Publishing Booth 1642

TurnKey Solutions Corp. Booth 1156

TwoBy2 Booth 1115

Tyndale House Publishers Booths 917, 921

Union Gospel Press Booth 1640

Universal Designs Booth 601

Warner Press Booth 1329

Waterfall Press Booth 1152

Wee Believers Booth 822

Wesleyan Publishing House Booth 1053

WestBow Press Booth 1634

Word Distribution Booth 1037

World Wide Printing Booth 1651

Xulon Press Booths 1439, 1539

 

CBA Town Center

American Christian Fiction Writers Booth 913

CBA Booth 903

Meadowbrook Insurance Group Booth 911

 

Church Store Connection Center

1Eighty Apparel CS 05

Building a Family Legacy CS 03

EndTime Ministries CS 01

Harvest Time Partners CS 02

Inspirations in Wood CS 04

 

Creative Pavilion

August St Anthony Publications Booth 550

Dan Hayden Booth 852

Dorcas International (H.K.) (Dorcas Puppets) Booth 752

Dr. Shane Wall Booth 650

Enjoy! Booth 952

Gareth J Goosen Booth 756

Generations with Vision Booth 751

God’s Song Booth 653

Holy Cheer Gear Booth 754

J and M Inspirations Booth 855

Joey Nicholson Booth 656

Kendall Neff Publishing Booth 954

Lanny Smith Booth 755

Lucy Schultz Booth 956

Mike Genung Booth 851

S.K. Muinde Booth 657

The Good Deed Manger Booth 853

Tom Janicik Booth 654

TxTimony Booth 854

Vicky Branton Booth 850

 

Debut Avenue

42aFurnace Christian Clothing & Design Booth 831

Anointed by Grace Designs Booth 942

Big God Life Booth 830

Cepher Publishing Group Booth 928

Christian Art & BronzBooth 828

Global Access Sales & Marketing Booth 934

Harvest Time Partners Booth 832

In His Light Ministries Booth 728 

Inspirations In Wood Booth 729

John Ritchie Ltd. Booth 736

Kid Niche Publishing/Susan Bonner Booth 833

KIPPOD 3D Booth 846

Majestees Booth 735

Mindfully Made Studios Booth 847

MudLOVE Booth 746

My Little Guardian Angel Booth 731

Painted Stuf Booth 732

Pieces of the Promise Booth 730

PrayerBowls Booth 734

ReMade Apparel Booth 930

Three Angels Broadcasting Network Booth 944

Ulla Ltd. Keywi Cards Booth 834

 

Fair Trade & Missional

Family Research Council Action Booth 611

Global Handmade Hope Booth 712

Saved By Grace Booth 609

 

MarketSquare

ABridge International Booth 1716

B&H Publishing Group Booth 1412

Baker Publishing Group Booth 1518

Banner of Truth Booth 1511

Barbour PublishinBooth 1612

Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City Booth 1516

Bible Societies Booth 1616

Bill Noller International Publishing Booth 1519

Copenhagen Publishing House Booth 1707

Cromwell Leather Booth 1613

Crossway Booth 1402

David C Cook Table 05

Discovery House Publishers Booth 1515

Eerdmans Publishing Co. Table 01

F.J. Rudy and Associates Booth 1513

Gospel Literature International (GLINT) Booth 1705

Great Value Books Booth 1604

Harrison House Publishers Booth 1421

Harvest House Publishers Table 04

InterVarsity Press Booth 1517

IVP (UK), Inter-Varsity Press Table 06

Josh McDowell Ministry Table 02

Life Publishers International Booth 1406

Nori Media Group Booth 1413

Nutech Print Services Table 03

P&R Publishing Booth 1602

Riggins International Rights Services Booth 1709

Scandinavia Publishing House Booth 1619

Standard Publishing Booth 1512

Tyndale House Publishers Booth 1719

 
Authors share heavenly hope Print Email
Written by Ann Byle   
Tuesday, 13 May 2014 02:35 PM America/New_York

Beyond-this-life testimonies assure believers of a sweet bye and bye

BethanyHouse_50ThingsDon Piper, author of the best-seller 90 Minutes in Heaven, sums up the allure of books about heaven in one word: hope.

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Keeping tradition, finding their future Print Email
Written by Natalie Gillespie   
Tuesday, 13 May 2014 02:31 PM America/New_York

New pope, new media draws fresh attention to products for Catholic customers

LentAtEphesusCDAfter a year of big changes for the Roman church, Catholic retailers hope the positive media attention and popularity of the new pope will translate into sales. Pope Francis was inaugurated in March 2013; former popes John Paul II and John XXIII were canonized in April, and media outlets are reporting that lapsed Catholics have begun asking themselves if it is time to return to the church. The changes are galvanizing sales of some Catholic products, but will it drive enough customers to buy at brick-and-mortar stores?

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Living a legacy for 75 years and counting Print Email
Written by Ann Byle   
Tuesday, 11 March 2014 10:24 AM America/New_York

Baker Publishing Group moves into the future holding true to its evangelical heritageBakerFamily

Baker Publishing Group celebrates its 75th anniversary in April 2014, a significant milestone for the family-owned business under its third generation of Baker leadership.

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How to draw readers to God’s Word Print Email
Written by Lindsay Williams   
Wednesday, 12 February 2014 04:04 PM America/New_York

Five ways publishers are getting creative to attract consumers to new Bibles

Few binding options were available when Bibles first were produced en masse, but today, readers of God’s Word have the luxury of having hundreds of Bibles from which to choose. With technology comes an abundance of options—and fierce competition for Bible publishers to create products that stand out from the crowd. Moreover, the large number of choices can leave the consumer feeling overwhelmed when attempting to make a purchase.

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How well do you know God’s Word? Print Email
Written by Deonne Lindsey   
Wednesday, 12 February 2014 04:18 PM America/New_York

Training and service help stores make the grade in selling the Scriptures

TranslationContinuum_CREDIT_HarperCollinsPublishersAdvances in e-book features have made sampling new Bible translations easier, but for most readers, a print edition of the Scriptures remains a must-have. Yet even with the technology many customers have to explore various products, retailers and publishers alike report that the wide variety of translations and formats continues to overwhelm Bible shoppers.

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Making the Sunday school sale Print Email
Written by Natalie Gillespie   
Thursday, 16 January 2014 01:09 PM America/New_York

Christian retailers cultivate church relationships to sell ever-changing curriculum

GroupPub-kidsOf all the programs churches are traditionally known for, Sunday school remains one of the hallmarks. Through the years, formats, delivery methods, topics and the church audience itself has changed, causing curriculum providers to stay on their creative toes. 

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Retrospective: Looking back on 2013 Print Email
Written by Various Contributors   
Tuesday, 24 December 2013 11:04 AM America/New_York

‘Christian Retailing’ reflects on key happenings in our ‘Year in Review’ of the Christian products industry

Looking back on the year that was, 2013 presented the Christian products industry with new and ongoing challenges and opportunities. If you felt the year went by in a flash, take a few moments to ponder with us the substantive issues, key events and top products in the categories of Bibles, books, kids’ products, DVDs, gifts and music.

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Remembering key leaders Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Tuesday, 24 December 2013 08:59 AM America/New_York

Christian products industry celebrates legacy of authors and artists who died in 2013

The Christian product industry saw the passing in 2013 of many influential authors, artists and leaders who have had a significant impact on the Christian products industry. From music pioneers to best-selling authors, the impact that they left on the industry is wide and lasting. As believers are urged to remember their leaders, to consider their way of life and imitate their faith (Heb. 13: 7, NIV), we look back on a number of those who have led the way for the church and our industry.

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‘What would Daniel do?’ Print Email
Written by Natalie Gillespie   
Tuesday, 24 December 2013 08:54 AM America/New_York

Key health and fitness titles find example in Old Testament figure

DestinyImage-TheMakersDietRevolutionMany Christians are waking up to the reality that church fellowship may need to occur minus the usual rich food. To that end, Christian publishers say health and fitness books are becoming more popular, and the New Year is the best time for Christian retailers to recommend them to their customers.

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