The Parable Group has expanded its Parable Essential Inventory program to include children's titles, company officials said.

Initially launched in August 2005 for adult books, the inventory management program helps retailers build their backlist inventory mix through P.O.S (point of sale) data gathered from 175 stores.

"Christian retailers don't just need data; they need useful services created from data to help make their job easier and improve sales," Parable CEO Steve Potratz said. "Parable Essential Inventory is a real program that is making a real difference."

Parable Essential Inventory replaced many vendor core programs, allowing storeowners to focus on one list that represents a large number of publishers. The program has proven to increase sales, maintain stock turns, and reduce lost sales and special orders, Parable officials said.

"For two consecutive months, stores using Parable Essential Inventory have outperformed stores not using the program with a 3.29% increase in overall sales," said Erik Ernstrom, inventory control specialist for Parable. "We believe the program will have the same positive impact on music sales as it has had on adult backlist books."

Potratz noted that Parable has been developing data gathering and management systems to help stores improve business for the last eight years.