Thistle Farms reached out to Christian retailers at last week’s Christian Product Expo in Murfreesboro, Tenn., demonstrating the power of products to change lives.

A social enterprise of women who have survived prostitution, trafficking, addiction and life on the streets, Nashville-based Thistle Farms and its two-year residential community, Magdalene, empower women to live anew as the community supports them through the creation and sale of natural body care products. Ingredients include cotton wicks, soybean-based ecowax, olive and coconut oils, sunflower seeds and essential oils.

Seattle-based Claro Candles has only been in business almost a year, but its co-founders have a strong vision to take the company into the future.

Co-founders Jefferson Bethke, author of new Thomas Nelson book Jesus Is Greater Than Religion, and Brett Kolomyjec bring their nonprofit background to bear on social justice issues through Claro’s mission.

Approximately 300 retailers are taking part in the Sept. 22-24 Christian Product Expo sponsored by the Munce Group. But while the Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Nashville), event ends today, Munce has announced that its CPE model is changing—and two Atlanta shows are being added to its 2014 calendar.

In conjunction with AmericasMart, the country’s largest gift mart located in the heart of Atlanta, Munce will host “CPE at AmericasMart” in January and July—but with a significant change. CPE at AmericasMart will be a one-day event only and will feature an exhibit floor with vendors, training sessions and meals.

Lighthouse Christian Products, Heritage Lace and Alexa’s Angels are among the gift companies releasing new products for Christmas.

Among Lighthouse Christian Products’ new holiday items are the Message from God Mailbox Ornament and a line of Christmas ornament plaques.

Retail sales will increase this holiday season, according to ShopperTrak, but retailers will have a shorter window in which to earn their share. A shorter holiday season will mean more cutthroat competition as retailers vie for a piece of the consumer spending pie.

The shopper analytics company forecasts a 2.4% increase over last year’s holiday season. However, overall foot traffic is expected to decrease 1.4% compared to last year.

A paintbrush, watercolors and a canvas are typical art supplies, but the Bible is the one tool of the trade that Caroline Simas can’t do without. The Charlotte, N.C., native’s passion is combining her colorful art with scripture so that it touches people’s lives.

With her unique designs covering everything from textiles to home furnishings and with a list of 12 licensees and growing, her art is making an impact. 

Gift retailers likely will be pleased that social media darling Facebook has given up the idea of selling physical goods through its Facebook Gifts service. Instead, the company will continue to sell a gift card—known as the Facebook Card—that may be used with a variety of retailers.

Facebook did not make an official announcement about the change in sales strategy, “but reports have noted that 80 percent of the sales on Facebook Gifts were already in the form of gift cards,” according to PC World.