Suppliers and retailers alike are hoping that some strong releases for the Christmas season will bring a boost to flagging music sales.

As well as a Christmas release from the GRAMMY-winning, multi-platinum group Casting Crowns, Provident-Integrity Distribution has planned holiday albums from the newly reunited Sixpence None the Richer and The Annie Moses Band, as well as the Christmas Offerings DVD from Third Day.

"We fully anticipate that our physical CD sales will be strong this Christmas compared to last year," not only with the holiday releases but also with sales from Third Day's highly anticipated release this month, Revelation, said Don Noes, senior vice president at Provident-Integrity Distribution.

EMI CMG Distribution will showcase new holiday offerings from artists including the Gaither Vocal Band, Mandisa, Mannheim Steamroller, Anne Murray and Amy Grant, with her newly compiled Christmas collection featuring four new tracks.

Word Distribution plans to offer Christmas projects from top artists in various genres, including BarlowGirl, David Phelps, pureNRG, Fernando Ortega, Travis Cottrell and Faith Hill, as well as a VeggieTales seasonal DVD/CD bundle.

"Generally, we had a couple of Christmas releases that didn't perform as expected last year, and had several new artists which take time to develop," said Jim Nehs, vice president CBA sales at Word Distribution. "These things combined with a market that is seeing a downward trend in and of itself put us down slightly from 2006 to 2007. As for this year, we are encouraged by the releases we have lined up and are planning an exciting season."

Read more in the Aug. 11 issue of Christian Retailing magazine.