Suppliers ‘pleasantly surprised’ at number of independent retailers who came to purchase products

Despite economic hard times, the Munce Group’s Christian Product Expo (CPE) Hershey—formerly called CPE Regionals East—recently drew nearly an identical number of retailers as the 2008 show, and Christian bookstore representatives were in an upbeat mood.

Held Jan. 11-13 at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pa., CPE Hershey attracted more than 200 independent retailers and 80 suppliers.

“The main difference was that we had stores attend from many states across the country including Texas, Arizona and California,” Munce Group Chief Operating Officer Kirk Blank told Christian Retailing. “In years past, we generally had stores from the northeast region of the country.”

The stores from Texas, Arizona and California would have likely attended the marketing company’s CPE Regionals West in Riverside, Calif., normally held in January. But Munce scrapped that show last fall—citing a glut of trade events scheduled for that time frame.

“I did have the thought that if it were not right in our backyard, I’d have had to think twice about going, but I’m so glad I went,” Margaret Umble, owner of J.O.Y. Bookstore in Sinking Spring, Pa., told Christian Retailing. “I bought very carefully at Hershey this year. … The mood was ‘we don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.’ ”

Jack and Ruth Ann Savage, owners of Jack’s Religious Gift Shop in Salisbury, Md., took two employees from their store to CPE Hershey, a four-hour drive from their business.

“We wouldn’t have gone if it was just a West Coast show,” Jack Savage said. “Hershey’s a good show, good fellowship, good products and easy buying. I thought it was quite a positive mood. I was surprised. They (retailers) seemed to be buying good. I didn’t catch a whole lot of discouragement from retailers.”

Russ Schwartz, key account manager for Thomas Nelson’s independent Christian retail sales, said sales were up approximately 30% over the previous year, with slightly more actual orders.

“We stayed busy the entire time with little downtime,” he said. “Most stores did mention that sales have either been flat or down, but many that we talked with are encouraged by the opportunities that they still have. Small shows like the CPE show are beneficial to Thomas Nelson as we are able to interact with smaller retailers and accounts.”

The theme for CPE Hershey was based on Psalm 34:8-9, “Taste and see that the Lord is good … .” The event featured a Bible conference led by Moody Publishers author and pastor Bill Rieser and Zondervan author and speaker Ronda Rich as well as comedian Charles Marshall and music from Brian Free & Assurance and Daniel Kirkley.

“Overall, we thought CPE Hershey was a success,” Blank said. “Retailers were eager to share ideas and find solutions as well as take advantage of the show specials from the vendors. Suppliers were pleasantly surprised at the amount of retailers who came to purchase products.”

Munce’s CPE Nashville is scheduled for Sept. 13-15 in the Nashville area. CPE Hershey is planned for Jan. 17-19, 2010.

• Prev
• Next