Scriptures need a stronger presence at ICRS, says key retailer

The Word of God in its many iterations drew retailers who roamed the exhibit space at the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS). From Catholic gift editions to children’s storybook Bibles, interested buyers and readers found an array of titles to choose from, though at least one bookstore buyer wished for a stronger Bible presence at the show. 

Charisma Media showcased its Modern English Version (MEV), described as “the most modern translation produced in the King James tradition” in the last 30 years. A word-for-word translation that keeps the beauty of the King James Version while offering clarity for modern readers, the MEV will be released in 2014. 

The Common English Bible (CEB) shared booth space with Abingdon Press, its sales distribution partner. Having made its debut at the 2011 ICRS, the CEB continued to draw interest among retailers who helped make it a best-seller throughout 2012. Its Deep Blue Kids Bible was one of several children’s Bible products on display throughout the show floor.

For Louis McBride, Bible buyer for Baker Book House, the largest Christian bookstore in West Michigan, “Bibles didn’t have as strong a presence as they should have because the Bible market is still strong.”

McBride, who led two workshops at ICRS—Overcoming Obstacles in Reaching the Catholic Market and Introduction to Selling Seasonal Catholic Products—attended a Zondervan-sponsored breakfast for its Bible buyers. He also commented on the lack of a strong Bible presence at the Tyndale and Crossway booths. 

“Bible sales are still strong, though some vendors overdo it with so many SKUs and niche Bibles, which makes it hard for staff to stay current,” he observed. “On the other hand, Tyndale and NavPress don’t freshen their Bibles enough and their covers aren’t strong.”

Tyndale does have an unusual children’s Bible releasing in September for kids ages 8-12. The glipit Bible has a unique cover with 120 silicone pieces in four colors and glows in the dark. The acronym “glipit” stands for God’s Love Is Perfect, Patient and Personal.

Available in blue or purple editions with a washable, easy-grip cover, the Bible can be changed on the outside as God changes kids on the inside, Tyndale said. It also comes with a glow-in-the-dark cross. 

The English edition features the New Living Translation, while the Spanish edition uses Nueva Traduccion Vivente.

Crossway did highlight its English Standard Version (ESV) translation at its 75th anniversary banquet Monday night. Each guest there received a top-of-the-line ESV legacy edition marking the special occasion.

Several specialized groups put in an appearance at ICRS, including the American Bible Society, Trinitarian Bible Society and Kirkbride Bible Co. The American Bible Society holds licensing rights to the Good News Translation, formerly the Good News Bible, and the Contemporary English Version, designed for grade-school students. 

The Trinitarian Bible Society translates and distributes Bibles in other languages, and sells the KJV to the public. Kirkbride is also a specialty Bible company, publishing and distributing the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, which was first published in 1908.

Fireside Catholic Publishing provided a number of gift-edition Bibles, from confirmation to graduation editions and wedding to personal-use Bibles. 

“I was surprised that Fireside had been at ICRS for 28 years,” McBride said. “I was pleased to see them there.”

“Looking back at ICRS,” added McBride, “vendors as a whole could have done a lot better job making the Bible presence stronger because it’s such a big portion of sales at Christian bookstores.”

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