Efforts aim to address ‘worrying’ lack of understanding

Publishers in two countries with rich Bible heritages are involved in campaigns to encourage more reading of the Scriptures.

In Germany, a new magazine aims to address what it considers a growing lack of knowledge of the Bible, while in England two, year-long efforts have been launched to spur Christians to get to know God’s Word better.

Suppliers, retailers identify business emphases for ‘signature’ year

New technology and old-fashioned charm are the two big needs if the Christian retail industry is to see business blossom in the coming year.

That is the consensus from a wide range of suppliers, retailers and service providers who reflected on the state of the industry and highlighted the importance of digital delivery and customer service excellence for its future, for Christian Retailing.

Stores must secure a place in the growing market for e-books, many agreed—though some expressed concern that a proposed industry-wide digital delivery platform had still not been announced, almost six months after it was identified as top priority by CBA, at the International Christian Retail Show.

QR links help increase ‘awareness’ of books and authors

Industry leaders, publishers, marketing groups and retailers are welcoming a high-tech tool that is popping up everywhere as a tech-savvy way to engage consumers, increase sales and raise awareness of Christian books and authors.

Regarded as the more sophisticated cousin of traditional bar codes, QR (Quick Response) codes are small black graphical squares on white background—encoded with information, which can be text, a Web site address, video or other data.

Zondervan and Biblica offer revised Bible translation to people 'eager to experience' updated text

The updated New International Version (NIV), the world's best-selling Bible translation that is being revised for the first time in 25 years,—was made available last month for online viewing at www.biblegateway.com and www.biblica.com in advance of new print Bible products being available next spring.

Zondervan,—which publishes both the NIV and Today's New International Version (TNIV), and Biblica, holder of the NIV copyright, made the announcement in October at the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Cape Town, South Africa, which drew more than 4,200 participants from nearly 200 countries.

"The NIV has become part of our culture,—part of the shared experience of millions of people," said Keith Danby, international CEO of Biblica. "This is the reason why we felt it was appropriate to make the update available online as soon as it was ready. 

End-times thriller will have 'bigger budget' for the big-screen production, due to start next year

Plans are being made for a new, improved movie version of the best-selling end-times thriller Left Behind (Tyndale House Publishers).

The project is being developed by Cloud Ten Pictures, which released the first film adaptation of the book in 2000, following it with two other installments from the successful series of novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins—which have sold more than 64 million copies since the first title came out in 1995.

The second screen version of Left Behind: The Movie follows the resolution of a long-running dispute between Cloud Ten and LaHaye, who was unhappy with the filmmaker's releases. The film rights reverted to LaHaye and Jenkins in 2008 as part of a settlement, but were returned to Cloud Ten as of Oct. 1, the company announced.

Christian Bookstore Coin gives New York store's shoppers 'instant gratification with perceived value'

A longtime independent Christian retailer in Cortland, N.Y., has come up with a change for her customer loyalty program—which she credits for boosting sales and increasing traffic.

Kitty Jones, owner of Spirit & Life, has taken over distribution of the Christian Bookstore Coin (CBC) from New Creation Gifts. 

The size of a quarter, the shiny gold coin has Heb. 13:8—which says "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever"—on one side and "$1 off in trade" on the other.

A month after Donald Miller announced that plans for the film version of his breakthrough book had been scrapped because filmmakers couldn't get enough funding, fans of Blue Like Jazz (Thomas Nelson) established a savebluelikejazz Web site to raise $125,000 in 10 days.

Miller recently announced that the effort had raised enough money to start filming in late October in Nashville. He credited kickstarter.com, a "crowd-funding" Web site that raises money for creative projects, for helping save the project.

Retailers and gallery owners say action by popular 'Painter of Light' artist will protect the company from 'frivolous lawsuits'

Christian retailers and gallery owners say they do not expect any negative impact from the company of "Painter of Light" Thomas Kinkade's recent filing for bankruptcy protection.

Dennis Lovvorn, co-owner of New Covenant Christian Bookstore in Shelbyville, Tenn., told Christian Retailing that he has carried Kinkade's art for 15 years.

"I have over 100 paintings," said Lovvorn, a Kinkade dealer for nine years. "I keep it stocked because it's a good line for us. I don't have any intention of discontinuing it. I'm very happy with them. It's been a bright spot in a dismal economy."

The Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection petition was filed this summer, allowing the Kinkade production arm, Pacific Metro,  to reorganize and put an automatic stay on the collection of all judgments, including one for $3 million owed to Karen Hazlewood and Jeff Spinello, the Los Angeles Timesreported. 

Pressures of downturned economy blamed, despite 'still high' demand for bargain books 

Leaders of the Christian remainders market say the segment continues to grow, but there is less product available. 

The largest bargain book show in the country, Chicago International Remainder and Overstock Book Exposition (CIROBE), marking its 20th anniversary Oct. 28-31 in Chicago, was expected to draw nine Christian publishers, like last year's show.

Jerry Bloom, president of Wholesale Christian Books, said about a dozen publishers have committed to exhibit during its Inspirational Value Book Show (IVBS)—part of a new, collaborative winter trade show with CBA and Christian Trade Association International, to be held in Atlanta, Jan. 11-13, 2011. 

Bloom told Christian Retailing that there was "definitely a softening when it comes to the amount of available product" in the Christian bargain book market. "We are seeing no slowdown in demand," said Bloom, whose IVBS moves from its previous venue in Nashville. 

The Christian remainders market is being influenced by two factors, he added. 

Georgia store 'intentional' in opening mall kiosk, which showcases personalization service and 'Christian bookstore presence'

Calling the venture "an experiment," longtime Christian retailers in Valdosta, Ga., have expanded to a local mall with hopes of increasing traffic to their brick-and-mortar location.

Cherie and Tom Gregory—owners of The Potter's House Parable Christian Store for 31 years—opened a kiosk at the Valdosta Mall in September. 

Showcasing gift company P. Graham Dunn's laser-engraving system, the kiosk features a catalog with different products that customers can choose from, including keychains, magnets, ornaments, pens, cutting boards and knives. The kiosk also features some books and items that are available at the 10,000-square-foot store, located several miles away.

"We're hoping to draw customers here to the big store, which is about 10-15 minutes away," Cherie Gregory told Christian Retailing. "It's really an experiment. It's been an interesting experience. We've had to train four new employees."