Winners were announced today in the 2009 Retailers Choice Awards, sponsored by Christian Retailing magazine. More than 250 products were nominated in 30 categories, with the winning products revealed during a press conference at the International Christian Retail Show in Denver.

Nominated products were judged on the impact they have had on staff and customers, including their ability to speak to hearts and evoke emotion, open minds to new ways of thinking, and encourage and affirm Christlike living.

Movie-related books fared well this year, as Eric Wilson's novelization of Fireproof (Thomas Nelson) won in Fiction: General, while The Love Dare (B&H Books/B&H Publishing Group) rose to the top of the Relationships category.

Four companies shared victories in the gift categories, with Carpentree the retailers' favorite in Wall Décor with a Ten Commandments plaque and DaySpring getting the votes in General Gift Product for its inspirational mugs.

Since its introduction in 2001, the Retailers Choice Awards program has been increasingly acknowledged in the industry as an important way of recognizing some of the most significant new life-changing materials.

In addition, Christian retailers who voted this year were entered in a random drawing to each receive hundreds of dollars' worth of product nominated in the competition. The six winners were: Audrey Henderson of Inspirational Corner in Greenville, S.C.; Janet McKinley of Lakewood Church Bookstore in Houston, Texas; Jeanie Robeson of First Presbyterian Book Service in Dothan, Ala.; Essie Smith of Gospel Book Store in Gretna, La.; Paul Thorpe of Wings of Eagles in Lake Placid, Fla.; and Elizabeth Wozniak of Praises in Porter Ranch, Calif.

For a list of the winning products, visit www.retailerschoiceawards.com.