Christian Retailing

CBA planning changes for its events next year Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Monday, 10 November 2008 03:58 PM America/New_York

Retailers trade association recasts winter conference, ‘working on adjustments’ for summer show

CBA has been planning changes for its events next year.

In response to feedback from retailers and suppliers, and to ease the cost of travel and lodging to attendees, next year’s CBA Industry Conference will be offered in two locations on opposite sides of the country.

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Digital initiative launches with 400-plus Christian stores Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Monday, 10 November 2008 03:56 PM America/New_York

Zondervan’s Symtio offers retailers ‘extremely high-return rate with very low investment’

More than 400 Christian stores have signed up for Zondervan’s new Symtio initiative, touted as “a multi-channel solution for digital media,” which launched last month.

Unveiled at the International Christian Retail Show in July, Symtio features credit-card-sized book tokens that can be purchased in Christian retail stores, which allow consumers to download audio versions of the titles at home.

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Christian novelists draw record crowd at Mall of America Print Email
Written by Sam Townsend   
Monday, 10 November 2008 03:53 PM America/New_York

Book-signing event at largest mall in the country ‘raises awareness’ about inspirational fiction

More than 120 Christian novelists recently drew avid fans and new readers to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., in the largest book-signing event ever at the biggest mall in the country.

Sponsored by Barnes & Noble and Northwestern Book Stores, the two-hour signing Sept. 20 was held in conjunction with the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Conference and Awards Banquet in Minneapolis.

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News Beat: Mike Nawrocki, Ashley Smith Robinson, Standard Publishing and Faith Hill Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Monday, 10 November 2008 03:42 PM America/New_York

Larry the Cucumber has become a creative big shot. Mike Nawrocki—VeggieTales co-creator and the voice of numerous characters for the anthropomorphic vegetables, including Larry the Cucumber and LarryBoy—has been named vice president of development by Big Idea. In the newly created position, Nawrocki will oversee all creative projects and production for the Franklin, Tenn.-based studio, including the VeggieTales and 3-2-1 Penguins! series.  

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Pro-marriage film ‘exceeds expectations’ Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Monday, 10 November 2008 02:57 PM America/New_York

Grass-roots campaign helps ‘Fireproof’ light up the box office

Stoking more interest in faith-based films, Fireproof—the latest Christian drama from the church-based moviemakers who scored a surprise hit two years ago with Facing the Giants—made a big splash at the box office.

And as a book that was a focal point of the movie shot onto the best-seller lists, several songs used in the film racked up digital sales and received plenty of airplay on Christian radio.

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Unilit launches women’s devotional series Print Email
Written by Harold Goerzen   
Monday, 10 November 2008 12:00 AM America/New_York

Author Shannon Ethridge encourages readers to get back to basics

Editorial Unilit will release a series of five devotional books this month, encouraging women to get back to the foundational truths of the faith. The “Ama a Jesús sin límites” (“Loving Jesus Without Limits”) series, was written by best-selling author Shannon Ethridge and was originally published in English by WaterBrook Press.

“The series gives a good overview of the basics of Christianity—like prayer and forgiveness—just from a different angle,” said Rick Heyer, manager of U.S. sales and key accounts at Editorial Unilit.
The first and longest book in the series, Suya por completo: Ama a Jesús sin límites (Completely His: Loving Jesus Without Limits, 978-0-789-91692-1, $10.99), released in English in June 2007. The remaining four titles expound on the themes in the initial book, each of them including 30 days’ worth of readings.

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Day of prayer for Christian products industry in U.K. Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Thursday, 18 March 2010 02:52 PM America/New_York
Retailers and suppliers in the U.K. have a focus on prayer as the industry seems to be bouncing back from what some feared might be a major blow.

Bookstores across the country are taking part in a second national day of prayer for their mission, March 26, with an appeal for churches to pray for their local Christian retail outlets during Palm Sunday services two days later. There are also separate plans for a two-day retreat May 4-5 for industry leaders.

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Carol Awards finalists announced Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Thursday, 29 July 2010 03:33 PM America/New_York
The American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) has announced the 2010 finalists for The Carol Awards, formerly called the Book of the Year Awards.

Debut Author: Bonnie Grove (Talking to the Dead/David C. Cook); Liz Johnson (The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn/Steeple Hill); Kirk Outerbridge (Eternity Falls/Marcher Lord Press); Jill Eileen Smith (Michal/Revell/Baker Publishing Group); and Dan Walsh (The Unfinished Gift/Revell/Baker Publishing Group).

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