Voting ends March 31 in the 2013 Christian Retailing’s Best awards. Anyone connected with the Christian retailing industry—including authors, editors, literary agents and distributors—is invited to vote for what they think are the best products in the Christian retail market.

Suppliers and authors have nominated 2012 gifts and other products—books, Bibles, music, DVDs, children’s products and more—as well as Backlist titles in the 2013 awards sponsored by Christian Retailing magazine.

B&H Publishing Group is planning a relaunch of a major gift book brand and adding a new devotional line to its already successful gift book program.

Before joining B&H last year, Dawn Woods, publisher, Christian Living and Gift Books, had more than 10 years prior experience working in gift books for Thomas Nelson. Along with building on the publishers’ current success, Woods is also moving the gift book line into the future.

Christian Brands has joined the nationwide campaign to stop bullying with a new Stop Bullying wristband.

“There couldn’t be a better time than now to build awareness and put the bullying epidemic to an end,” said Director of Sales Brian Schroeder.

Christian Brands’ new reversible Stop Bullying silicone wristband from Gifts of Faith launched at the January gift shows. Debossed on the outside of the tband are the words “Stop Bullying,” and the inside is silk-screened with the message “God is Love,” reminding kids that God is the ultimate anti-bully and that emulating His love can help stop the epidemic of bullying.

As Mother's Day nears, any store that sells gifts for mom will begin to see more and more male shoppers. Here are 10 tips to share with the team at your store: 

1. Assume every man who walks into your store the week before Mother’s Day is there to buy. Remember, we create more sales when we begin by assuming the customer is a buyer.

2. Don't ask if he needs help. You know he's there to buy something and that you are just the right person to assist him. Instead of asking, "How may I help you? or  "Can I help you find something?" say something like, "Welcome. I bet you are looking for the perfect Mother's Day gift."

Voting has started in the 2013 Christian Retailing’s Best awards. Anyone connected with the Christian retailing industry—including authors, editors, literary agents and distributors—is invited to vote for what they think are the best products in the Christian retail market.

Suppliers and authors have nominated 2012 gifts and other products—books, Bibles, music, DVDs, children’s products and more—as well as Backlist titles in the 2013 awards sponsored by Christian Retailing magazine.

Qualifying voters can click here to go directly to the ballot and vote.

DaySpring will launch a new line of children’s products this spring that use Crayola Color Wonder Technology. 

“We are pleased to offer Color Wonder technology with Christian content for the first time to the Christian retail market,” said Brenda Turner, director of communications at DaySpring. “Using Crayola tools and technology, DaySpring hopes to inspire children to learn scriptural truths in a fun, creative way. Crayola has a 99% brand awareness and for the past two years has been named the number one brand by moms. We are honored to partner with them on these great new products.” 

Send The Light Distribution celebrates its first anniversary as a management-owned company this month. 

In March 2012, management of STL Distribution North America purchased the distributor from its parent company, Biblica. The buyout was a year in the making. 

With an estimated 75% of companies failing in their first year, and few showing a profit, the leadership of the newly renamed distributor is pleased with the company’s accomplishments.