Sales of religious-themed products grew 28% from 2002 to 2005, according to a new study that sees the market moving “out of secluded mom-and-pop shops and into heavy mass-market circulation, a move that will help drive sales to $9.5 billion by 2010.”

The Religious Products Market in the U.S. from Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, estimated that among the three major categories of religious products-books, inspirational gifts/merchandise and audio/video/software-overall sales reached $7.5 billion in 2005, up 9% over 2004. Books, with 52% of 2005 sales, dominated the market, largely due to the many companions and response books to best-sellers The Purpose-Driven Life and The Da Vinci Code.

“The floodgates, so to speak, have truly opened up in the last few years as blockbuster books, GRAMMY-winning CDs and films, such as The Passion of The Christ, have ignited an unprecedented national interest in and acceptance of religious fare,” said Don Montuori, publisher of Packaged Facts. “The plethora of products readily available in a variety of retail venues has caught the eyes of consumers of all ages and denominations, making this a growth market, which should continue to expand well over the next five years.”

The report provides “a comprehensive analysis of the religious goods phenomenon, examining new product trends, offering competitive profiles of industry leaders and up-and-comers, and looking at consumer trends and behaviors that are driving sales,” the company said in a statement.

The $3,000 report is available to order at www.packagedfacts.com/pub/1176021.html and www.MarketResearch.com.

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