Word of mouth remains the biggest influence in people's apparel (33.6%) purchases, though advertising inserts, articles and in-store promotions also sway buying decisions, according to a Retail Advertising and Marketing Association (RAMA) survey conducted by BIGresearch.

"Hearing what other people have to say about a product gives shoppers the satisfaction of knowing what they purchased is peer-reviewed and worth their money," said Mike Gatti, RAMA executive director. "Whether it is based on a conversation with a friend or a customer review on a Web site, people put a lot of weight in other shoppers' opinions."

David C. Cook has awarded Kerusso the apparel license for Francis Chan's best-selling book Crazy Love.

The book has sold more than a half-million copies and recently received the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's Gold Book Award.

Artbeat of America, publisher of Gracefully Yours cards, has added two more artists to its 2010 lineup of scriptural greetings.

Mike David, an internationally renowned photographer, will add his work to Gracefully Yours encouragement cards. See David's work at his Web site.

Manual Woodworkers & Weavers has moved into new, larger showrooms in Atlanta and Dallas. Both expansions will be completed by the January shows.

The new locations are at AmericasMart Atlanta in Building 2, West Wing, Suite 697 and at Dallas Market Center, Trade Mart Building 2, Suite 2222.

For more information on the Hendersonville, N.C.-based company, visit its Web site here.

Russ Berrie's Stone Garden stepping stone collection expands in January to include a series of plaques with inspirational sayings. Available are Faith, Live, Grow, Hope, Peace, Believe, Harmony, Laugh, Love, Patience, Wonder and Welcome.

Each 12-inch resin stepping stone retails for $20.

To order, contact Russ Berrie U.S. Gift at 800-334-0426. For more information, see the company's Web site.

1. Silly Songs musical toothbrush, VeggieTales (Word Entertainment) $3.99

List based on sales data for Nov. 1-30, 2009, provided by Christian Books & More Gold and used with permission.

Jan. 13-19, 2010
Dallas Total Home & Gift Market
Dallas Market Center
2100 Stemmons Freeway
Dallas
800-DAL-MKTS
www.dallasmarketcenter.com

Suppliers are invited to nominate their best releases of the year in the 2010 Retailers Choice Awards, which started Dec. 14.

Before retailer voting begins in the Christian Retailing-sponsored competition-celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2010-suppliers will be nominating their best products of 2009. Gifts, books, Bibles, music and more may be nominated in 36 categories.

Christian retailers are invited to visit the Virtual Christmas Showcase for special discounts on products from more than 20 vendors. Learn more about the show hosted by Christian Retailing here.