Suppliers are reducing the number of tie-in products for the forthcoming second installment of the "Narnia" movie series, but hoping their more focused offerings will provide another sales harvest for Christian retailers.

Meanwhile, producers Walt Disney Pictures/Walden Media have just released the first trailer for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, which can be viewed from a link at the Christian Retailing Web site, www.christianretailing.com/prince_caspian. The movie is due to release May 16, 2008.

Zonderkidz, the children's division at Zondervan, whose parent company HarperCollins owns the rights to C.S. Lewis' seven-part fantasy series is to release 18 products. That is three less than for 2005's The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but "a better mix" according to Vice President of Marketing Alicia Mey.

Bob Siemon Designs (BSD) is to produce jewelry tie-ins again, but this time "more symbols and emblems that are repeated throughout the books" rather than being specific to the Caspian story and with a greater "impulse" buy price point emphasis, according to Marketing Manager Natalie Clark.

BSD is "encouraging our retailers to really make sure they are promoting the product line prior to the event," Clark said. "There were several stores last time that made sure they were the 'Narnia' headquarters. They were the most successful ones."

Read more about how suppliers and retailers are preparing for Prince Caspian, and find a complete guide to related products in the Jan. 7 issue of Christian Retailing magazine.

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