Store owner Rodger Long recently announced the forthcoming closing of Long’s Christian Book & Outlet in Greater Orlando, Florida.

Long previously owned a separate larger store in the College Park area of the city, but closed it eight years ago. He had used the second location as an outlet only, but chose to combine the store and the outlet at that time.

Most U.S. retail sales—a whopping 92%—still happen offline, according to a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. consumers conducted by Ripen Ecommerce.

Using Google Consumer Surveys, analysts polled more than 1,000 American shoppers to discover the number-one thing keeping them offline while shopping.

U.S. retail and food-services sales for July totaled $439.8 billion, virtually unchanged from June but up 3.7% from a year ago, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced Aug. 13.

Total sales for May through July were up 4.2% from the same period a year ago. The May to June percent change was unrevised from +0.2%. 

The biblical text that inspired The Byrds’ No. 1 hit “Turn! Turn! Turn!” provides a cinematic backdrop for The Song, a new film releasing to theaters Sept. 26 from Samuel Goldwyn Films and City On a Hill Studio. In honor of the film, The Byrds’ Roger McGuinn has rearranged the classic tune for The Song Album, releasing Sept. 16 from Capitol Records (Christian Music Group/Capitol Christian Distribution).

The 15-track project features recording artists Ricky Skaggs, Americana Vocalist of the Year Emmylou Harris, McGuinn and the stars of the film, Alan Powell of Anthem Lights and Caitlin Nicol-Thomas.

Covenant Group, Mardel Christian & Education and The Parable Group announced a long-term joint initiative with Initiate Media to provide their partner stores with free bimonthly print copies of Christian Woman magazine. The partnership aims to create a catalyst for repeat in-store traffic.

For more than 60 years, Christian Woman has been published in the Australian and New Zealand markets. Each issue offers relevant articles, faith-filled stories of hope and additional content that encourages women in their walk with God. The magazine being rolled out in the U.S. market is a completely separate title, however, and is printed in the United States.

LifeWay Christian Resources is considering selling all or part of its downtown Nashville campus. Real-estate developers and others have shown an interest in LifeWay’s 14.5-acre property, according to an Aug. 1 letter to employees from Thom Rainer, company president and CEO.

In the letter, Rainer said he asks Jerry Rhyne, LifeWay CFO and vice president of finance and business, and his staff to “work with a specialized consulting firm to study the advantages and disadvantages of selling some or all of our property.”

Pure Flix film God’s Not Dead debuts at No. 1 on the Nielsen Christian Videos sales chart and at No. 2 on the Nielsen VideoScan First Alert sales chart, which tracks Blu-ray and DVD combined sales for the week ending Aug. 10. Currently the top independent movie of the year, God’s Not Dead saw a strong 20-week theatrical release.

“God’s Not Dead is a film that will live for years in the retail, digital and on-demand market,” said Michael Scott, managing partner of Pure Flix, which produced and distributed the film. “We expect the DVD sales to continue to be strong extending into Christmas, as this is a prime gift item for the holiday season.”