An award-winning church bookstore aims to build on a growth trend with a three-part emphasis for the coming year.

Next Step Resources at Granger Community Church in Granger, Ind.—The Church Bookstore’s 2010 Small Church Bookstore of the Year—saw the first upswing in sales in a couple of years, in the last half of last year, according to Manager Susan Chipman.

Expecting to see that momentum continuing with an emphasis on the store’s Guest Rewards program, introduced 18 months ago, she said: “Simple things like greeting our guests by name will remind them—and us—that they’re not just another credit card number.”

In addition, the store will focus on connecting with shoppers through social media. “By maintaining an informal conversation via social media throughout the week, we hope to become the first resource that our guests think of when they are looking for Christian products,” Chipman said.

Next Step Resources is also planning to emphasize Bibles more as part of the celebrations surrounding the 400th anniversary of the King James Version.

A recent shopper survey also prompted Chipman to find more unique giftware, artwork and fair trade products—affordable products not available at chain stores.

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