Nominations open for top books, Bibles, gifts, music and more

Christian retailers are again being given the opportunity to place their seal of approval on the best new Christian products of the year. Voting will begin soon in Christian Retailing’s 2009 Retailers Choice Awards.

Since it was introduced in 2001, the Retailers Choice Awards program has been increasingly acknowledged in the industry as an important way of recognizing some of the most significant new life-changing materials.

New categories
This year’s program sees the addition of several new categories, in recognition of the continuing changes in Christian retailing. New prizes will be awarded for the Best Church Supply and Christian Education products.

In addition, there will be new awards for the Best Backlist Product of the Year, the Best Marketing/Promotion Campaign and the Top New Supplier.

Before voting opens in our 35 categories, however, it’s time for suppliers to nominate their top products from last year for consideration. Publishers, music labels, gift companies and others last year put forward almost 250 products from which retailers may choose.

The entry fee to nominate products remains the same this year, just $50 per item. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, March 6. Supplier nomination details can be found on this page, with online voting to start in April.
The winners of the 2009 Retailers Choice Awards will be announced at the International Christian Retail Show in Denver in July.

For full details, including a downloadable nomination form and a complete list of last year’s winners, visit www.RetailersChoiceAwards.com.

Official rules
Products nominated for the 2009 Retailers Choice Awards must have been published/released in 2008, except for Best Backlist Product, and include clear Christian content, message or worldview.

In the Gift category, “inspirational” items not specifically Christian will be considered, although those contrary to orthodox Christianity will not be included.

Entry fees for products not accepted will be returned in full.

Retailers will be asked to judge nominations on the impact they have had on staff and customers, including their ability to:
-Speak to people’s hearts and evoke emotion
-Open people’s minds to new ways of thinking
-Encourage and affirm Christlike living

Nominating companies shall not canvass retailers for votes; ballots that have been solicited by suppliers will be disqualified.

Voting details will appear in the May 4, 2009, issue of Christian Retailing, with a retailer ballot form available online. Voting retailers will be eligible for a drawing to receive a free selection of finalists’ products.

The deadline for suppliers to nominate products is Friday, March 6.

The deadline for retailers to vote will be Friday, May 29.

E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

• Prev
• Next