Christian Retailing

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Small Gifts Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 10:19 AM America/New_York
What tips do you have on displaying small gift items?

Let us know your thoughts at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 
ANSWER OF THE WEEK: Shrinkage Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 10:18 AM America/New_York
WE ASKED: How do you combat shrinkage with gifts in your store?

"Every retailer needs to remember that ‘shrinkage' will occur. Things get broken (by staff and by customers), some items will probably be stolen, and human errors happen. You can be alert to try to minimize these occurrences, and be wise to try to compensate for them.

"Suggestions to combating shrinkage in your gift department:
1. Try to minimize:
a. shoplifting and theft by greeting each customer and making eye contact. Try to know where customers are in the store at all times. Keep more expensive items, like more expensive jewelry, in a case.
b. errors-Train staff to double-check themselves when doing things like counting back money, and entering information on the cash register and credit card machine.
2. Compensate for shrinkage by:
a. increasing margins, when possible, taking your mark-ups when you can
b. writing off losses at the end of the year
c. discounting or donating slightly damaged items."

Susan Lewis
Gift buyer
Logos Bookstore
Dallas

 
SHOW EVENTS Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 10:17 AM America/New_York
April 25-27
Charlotte Gift & Jewelry Show
Charlotte Merchandise Mart
Charlotte, N.C.
704-365-4152
www.CharlotteGiftShow.com

April 25-27
Mid-South Jewelry & Accessories Fair
Memphis-Cook Convention Center
Memphis, Tenn.
630-241-9865
www.gift2jewelry.com

Read more...
 
INSIGHTS: Wedding Supplies Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 10:14 AM America/New_York

alt"Unless your store has chosen to carry strictly books and Bibles, I believe every Christian retailer should have a wedding section. In addition to the gifts and wedding supplies, you can also guide people to the Love and Marriage book section of the store and help them find marriage books and devotions for newlyweds that they are not likely to find elsewhere."

Karen Grosse, owner, Lighthouse Christian Books, Green Bay, Wis.
(" 'I Do,' You Should,"
Inspirational Gift Trends, June 9, 2008)

 
TOP TEN GIFTS: Kitchen & Dining Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 10:13 AM America/New_York
Lighthouse Cup of Love1. Cup of Love (Lighthouse Christian Products) $9.99
2. Love stoneware mug (Christian Art Gifts) $6.99
3. Cup of Friendship (Lighthouse Christian Products) $9.99
4. Abe and the Amazing Promise plate set (Big Idea) $9.99
5. Cup of Faith (Lighthouse Christian Products) $9.99
6. I Said a Prayer for You Today mug (Dicksons) $8
7. Larryboy mug (Big Idea) $6.99
8. Give Thanks to the Lord cup (Dicksons) $1
9. Cup of Joy (Lighthouse Christian Products) $9.99
tie 10. VeggieTales lunch box (Big Idea) $12.99
tie 10. Cup of Hope (Lighthouse Christian Products) $9.99

List based on sales data for March 1-31, 2009, provided by Christian Books & More Gold and used with permission.

 
RETAIL REPORT: Purse Magnets Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 10:11 AM America/New_York

'Purses With Verses' are 'one real winner'

Purse MagnetThe James Lawrence Company introduced its "Purses With Verses" magnets in January. Retailing between $4.99 and $5.99, the magnets come in a 48-piece assortment with a retail boutique merchandiser for $140. Brian Johnson, general manager of James Lawrence Co., reports that stores are selling out quickly and find that they need to re-order their assortment in less than 30 days after receipt of the product.

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CATEGORY COACH: Dolls and Accessories Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 10:02 AM America/New_York
Sandi Shelton, president and publisher, Mission City Press

altWhat should a Christian retailer consider when thinking about adding dolls to his/her store's gift offerings?
"Dolls are one of the most important gifts a person can give to girls because dolls help girls develop interpersonal skills, give them a sense of security and confidence, and help keep their hearts and minds in the imaginative place of childhood. Mothers and grandmothers know that dolls become treasured companions and family heirlooms, so they see them as a wise investment, not just for birthdays and holidays, but throughout the year. Dolls should be a regular part of a retailer's gift mix. Dolls have been popular for generation after generation, and they will continue to be popular."

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NEW PRODUCTS: Russ Berrie Prayer Box Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 10:01 AM America/New_York

Prayer box added to Russ Berrie's ‘Spiritual Harvest'
Russ Berrie Prayer BoxRuss Berrie U.S. Gift has released for 2009 the "A Woman of Noble Character" cross-shaped prayer box in its "Spiritual Harvest" collection.

The 5-by-6.5-inch prayer box (#CJ-0795) is crafted of resin and covered in colorful stones. Some customers may wish to use it to house a rosary or special jewelry. The verse on the cover is from Proverbs: "A Woman of Noble Character-She is worth far more than precious rubies ... ".

Suggested retail price is $18.

 
GIFT NEWS: Black & Light Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 09:51 AM America/New_York

Family-owned candle company supports charities
Black & Light CandleArtisan Holly Eve leads the Leland, Mich.-based business Black & Light Co., wherein she has combined her two passions, helping others and a love for candles.

With the motto "We measure our success by how well we support those in greater need," Black & Light supports charitable causes and since mid-2007 has partnered with mentally and physically challenged adults to pack and fulfill its product.

Manufactured in the U.S., each fragrance-free, glowing candle requires more than three days in production and 20 man-hours to create. Designs are drawn by hand and take up to 50 hours to complete.

The company's inspirational candles, released in late 2008 and early 2009, bear one of three words, Faith, Hope or Love.

Each candle has a 15-hour-an-inch burn time, about three times the average store-bought candle, according to the company's Web site.

The candles are packaged in recycled and reusable boxes that require no wrapping paper, bow or ribbon.

 
GIFT NEWS: Alda's LLC Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 09:40 AM America/New_York
Alda Ellis closes gift business

altCustomers who visit Alda's LLC online will find that the company was closed after 18 years in business.

Company founder Alda Ellis, who is well-known in the Christian gift world, spoke with Inspirational Gift Trends Bulletin for the first time about the July 2007 closure: " (My husband) Buddy and I sold the store rather quietly about 18 months ago, before the economy went bottoms up. We remained active in it until December 2008 and then we were out. At the time we sold, I was gone and on the road more than I was ever home, and I missed home! Since Buddy and I rarely traveled together, I missed him too, for the business had just grown to be all-encompassing. Three trips to China and one to India in less than a year made for an easy decision.

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  1. SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK