Move made by publisher after largest Christian distributor in Canada filed for bankruptcy

In the wake of the largest Christian distributor in Canada recently filing for bankruptcy, Thomas Nelson has offered to distribute its products directly to Canadian Christian retailers.

Ontario-based R.G. Mitchell Family Books (RGM), which began operations in 1934, unexpectedly closed Sept. 15—causing some U.S. publishers to scramble to find other sources of distribution in Canada.

Brittany Lassiter—Nelson’s international marketing specialist for international sales—told Christian Retailing that the company notified Canadian bookstores via e-mail Oct. 1 regarding distributing books, videos, software and Bibles directly from the Nashville-based publisher’s warehouse.

“The response has been very positive,” she said. “Retailers we have spoken to are pleased to be able to order directly from Nelson and are anxious to get the big new releases and critical backlist on the shelves in time for the busy Christmas selling season.”

Nelson was the largest supplier in the group of U.S. publishers distributed by RGM. Lassiter declined to comment about the amount of money owed by RGM to Nelson.

“We believe that the future for Christian retailing in Canada is positive even amidst the current challenges,” she said. “Other publishers will be able to find alternate forms of distribution that will effectively and efficiently serve the needs of the Canadian consumer.”

Meanwhile, Tyndale House Publishers and Harvest House Publishers—both formerly distributed by RGM—have entered into an agreement with Foundation Distributing Incorporated to be the exclusive distributor of the companies’ products in Canada.

Formerly distributed by RGM, Kregel Publications and Moody Publishers have signed an agreement with Ontario-based David C. Cook Distribution Canada to be its exclusive Canadian distributor. 

Representatives for RGM could not be reached for comment.

• Prev
• Next