Christian Retailing

CREATIVE THINKING: Being distinctive Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 05 August 2009 11:19 AM America/New_York

How can I say this gracefully? You aren't distinctive enough!

Knowing the value of taking field trips to see what is going on at other companies, I visited the busiest store in Colorado, the local Apple Store. It's the middle of summer and in the middle of the recession, and this store is wall-to-wall with shoppers.

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GIFT NEWS Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 05 August 2009 11:13 AM America/New_York
Virtual Christian Retailing Show features gift specials
Creation By Design, a New Jersey-based company, is extending show discounts to stores, as one of many suppliers offering special terms in a new online service recently launched by Christian Retailing magazine.

Click here to view a PowerPoint about the company's nondenominational, kid-friendly Bible trading cards, including its new Series B cards. The cards' 3-D images tell the stories of the Bible, including the six days of creation, Jacob's dream and Samson's revenge, among many others, and feature historical timelines.

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GIFT NEWS Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 05 August 2009 11:11 AM America/New_York
Retail buyers' association newly founded
The National Association of Retail Buyers (NARB) has been launched to create a forum where buyers from all types of retail backgrounds could join together.

Founded this year by Andrew BeauChamp and Angela Dalby, the independent, nonprofit NARB aims to unify and organize retail professionals who desire to further their careers and/or educations in the retail buying, selling, planning or product development fields. Through formal and informal educational programs, roundtable discussions and networking events, NARB will contribute to the professional growth of its members.

Annual membership rate for individuals is $60. For more information, visit www.narbuyers.org.

 

 
NEW PRODUCT Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 05 August 2009 11:05 AM America/New_York
Carruth's Dove of Peace
Carruth Studio of Waterville, Ohio, has recently issued a new Dove of Peace plaque by artist George Carruth.

Dove of Peace, which retails for $34, is made of weather-proof handcast stone with a hook on the back for hanging indoors or out. It comes gift-boxed and is made in the U.S.

See the company's online catalog here. To order, call 800-225-1178, or call the sales rep for your area.

 
TOP TEN GIFTS: Cases and Covers Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 05 August 2009 10:59 AM America/New_York
1. Canvas (Gregg Gift Co.) $15.95 navy, black, burgundy, fuchsia, light blue
2. Super Value Durable Polyester (Christian Art Gifts) $9.99 black, pink, dahlia purple, navy, light blue, brown, coronet blue
tie 3. Memo Pad Refill (Dicksons) $1.30
tie 3. Super Value Thinline (Christian Art Gifts) $9.99 S-L
5. Fish Three Fold Micro Fiber (Christian Art Gifts) $19.99 red, black
6. Faith Fashion (Christian Art Gifts) $19.99 M-L
7. Names of Jesus Two-Tone LuxLeather (Christian Art Gifts) $19.99 M-L
tie 8. Be On Your Guard Classic (Christian Art Gifts) $19.99 M-L
tie. 8. Soft Vinyl Cross (Dicksons) $20 navy, burgundy
tie 10. Amazing Grace Two-Tone LuxLeather (Christian Art Gifts) $19.99 M-L
tie 10. John 3:16 LuxLeather (Christian Art Gifts) $19.99 M-L

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

 

 
SHOW EVENTS Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 05 August 2009 10:56 AM America/New_York

Aug. 8-11
San Francisco International Gift Fair
Moscone Center
San Francisco, Calif.
213-430-2300
www.sfigf.com

Aug. 9-12
Canadian Gift & Tableware Association Fall 2009 Gift Show
Toronto International Centre and the Toronto Congress Centre
Toronto, Canada
800-611-6100
www.cgta.org

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ANSWER OF THE WEEK: Men's Products Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 05 August 2009 10:53 AM America/New_York
We asked: How can Christian retailers draw men into their gift departments or encourage gift sales to men?

"Be sure your windows or up-front exposed product is not too frilly or girly. Make the guys feel comfortable walking in. Have a section that really speaks to them. One of the items I found men really liked when I brought it in was the P. Graham Dunn knife display. Dicksons has a nice line of leather desk accessories. Cards that appeal to men are good to have for men's Bible study groups-like the Max Lucado line from DaySpring. Have a gift area than can depend on being the ‘men's gift section.' Have specials that are just for them."

Geni Hulsey
President
Church Bookstore Network

 
QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Buying In Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 05 August 2009 10:48 AM America/New_York
Since not all distributors carry inspirational gifts in their product offerings, Christian retail stores may have to deal directly with a number of gift companies. In that light, how can Christian retail stores best facilitate their gift-ordering?

Please share your thoughts with other readers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

 
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 05 August 2009 10:43 AM America/New_York
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him."
(Ps. 28:7, ESV)