A message from Geni Hulsey, president of the Church Bookstore Network:

Have you made your reservations for Retailing ReBoot 2011? The event, to be held April 26-28 in Orlando, Fla., gives church stores and others the opportunity to come together for fellowship, worship, education and an opportunity to buy from some of the greatest vendors ever.

Practical ideas for how Christian retailers can offer a customer experience that sets them apart from others will be offered at Retailing ReBoot, Christian Retailing's three-day event for church and independent stores, next month.

The suggestions will come from retailers, suppliers and authors during training presentations and discussions at the April 26-28 show, themed “Engaging Without Limits," at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando, Fla.

Servant hearts in Hawaii

Display options are limited at the bookstore at New Hope Oahu—because it doesn't have any walls. The operation sets up under canvas each weekend for the five services held at a high school in Waikiki, Honolulu, on the surfing mecca island of Oahu, Hawaii.

Volunteers spend 90 minutes putting the store in place before it opens, arranging tables and wheeling out and opening a collection of a specially made sort of oversized flight cases. They are lined with slatwall and used to store products safely in a rear room at the school during the week.

by Bobby Williams 

One of the keys to running a successful church bookstore is building good relationships with the leaders and pastors in the church. Here are some practical ways to build those bridges:

Favorites: Everyone loves to be remembered, especially for a unique reason. Knowing the favorite authors and artists of your pastors and leaders is a great way of doing this. Look at each new issue of Christian Retailing to see if one of your pastor's favorite authors or artists is coming out with a new product.

Sight lines are not always the best in churches stores, and it can be hard for shoppers to see eye-level signage at times. To solve the problem, look up—at The First Connection at the First Cathedral in Bloomfield, Conn., department signs are hung from the ceiling to help guide visitors to the right part of the store.

Recently I have noticed that every store I enter has “sale" sections. How many sale promotions are too many?

Sale promotions are wonderful if they accomplish their intended purpose. Many times, sales are just a way to “discard” items that are remainders. Thus you would not want to make the face or look of your store to be older sale product.

 A study conducted by Barna Group offers some encouragement to those concerned about who teenagers look to as role models. When asked who they most admired other than their parents, 37% of the 13- to 17-year-olds questioned said another family member—a grandparent, sister, brother, cousin, aunt or uncle.

After “family,” the teens mentioned teachers and coaches (11%), friends (9%), and pastors or other religious leaders they know personally (6%). Entertainers—including musicians and actors—were named by 6% of teens, followed by sports heroes (5%) and political and faith leaders (4% each). Then came business leaders, authors, science and medical professionals, other artists and members of the military (1% each).

Deirdre & Company's products are being highlighted in Christian Retailing's Virtual Christian Retailing Winter Show.

Running through March 31, the show spotlights some of the key new and backlist products from several leading suppliers. Access to the online event is free, with visiting retailers also eligible for a drawing to win an Apple iPad.

Graduation season is coming: What do you do in your church and in your store to celebrate these big life transitions for your congregation?

Share your experiences and ideas with others. Write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Ephesians 4:16, New International Version