How to serve the special needs of the local church supplies customer

Christian retailers specializing in church sales find that their business is very different than a normal retail operation. The clients’ purchase triggers, needs and service requirements are unique—so too are the actual purchasers. Millennials, Gen Xers and boomers alike are making purchases, but their shopping styles are different.

Make use of these important tips for trade show and armchair travelers alike

Experience is often touted as the best teacher. But even experienced trade show attendees can benefit from strategic planning in order to get the most value from going to a show.

Preparing now to grow your store’s sales of calendars and journals

With 2016 right around the corner, consumers are looking to purchase new journals and calendars for the coming year. Christian retailers know the value of being prepared for this important season, so here is a quick guide to help you make sure your store is appropriately stocked with the right products and right styles at just the right time.

Meeting retail customer needs with meaningful products

A promise, by definition, is a reason to expect something. Promise is such an interesting word to pair with gifts, as generally gifts are most fun to receive when they are unexpected. However, it is completely fair to expect gifts to be an important part of your daily cash-register totals when stocking wisely for your guests. It is our job as wholesalers and retailers to have just the right gift ready for purchase at just the right time, for that heartwarming moment that fulfills both giver and receiver.

Making a commitment to Scripture-driven apparel

Messages burning inside our hearts have a way of getting out. We share our passions in the oversaturated world of opinions known as Facebook, then hear the arguments, the overanalysis, the insults. Hiding behind computer screens from distant IP addresses, social media users share their opinions, but, perhaps, don’t really connect.

Selling Fair Trade products is one way to offer compassion

Fair trade started in the 1940s when a small group of North American and European organizations reached out to poor communities and artisans to help them sell their handcrafted products to more developed markets. Today, it has evolved into a global effort and has touched poverty-stricken countries all over the world that have produced everything from cocoa, coffee, tea and spices to leather products, scarves and jewelry. Fair Trade is about respecting an individual’s right to work in a safe environment and receive a fair wage for a good day’s work.

How to get tween shoppers into your Christian retail store

Middle-grade readers are an under-reached market for many Christian retail stores. When truly engaged, these 8- to 12-year-old students—particularly girls—can consume entire series of books in a short amount of time.