A chapter is drawing to a close for GRAMMY-nominated pop/rock group Superchick who recently announced that the group is saying farewell. Superchick will release its final project, Recollection (Inpop Records/Capitol Christian Distribution), on Oct. 29.

The CD/DVD combines five brand-new songs with 11 of the band's hits. One of the singles, “This Is The Time,” is set to be featured in the upcoming Pure Flix film God’s Not Dead.

Longtime Christian retailer J.O.Y. Bookstore in Sinking Springs, Pa., is closing. The store is a Munce Group member.

Margaret Umble, owner of the store for 26 years, plans to retire and is currently holding a retirement sale. Her daughters, Manager Loreen Umble and Secretary Michelle Umble, want to pursue other interests, the Reading Eagle reported.

National Retail Federation (NRF) issued its September sales figures this week, indicating broad sales gains in most retail sectors. The report, which excludes automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, shows that retail sales increased a healthy 0.6% seasonally adjusted from last month and 3.8% unadjusted year-over-year.

“Retailers witnessed a solid sales performance in September, with marked gains in all sectors, excluding clothing,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “The American consumer remains ever-cautious and value-driven, but continues to spend. Only time will tell if and when the government shutdown and debt ceiling debacle will impact retailers and consumers this fall and winter. The true economic impact of Washington’s inability to enact policies that enhance and sustain economic growth and certainty remains to be seen.”

Neil Alexander, president and publisher of The United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH), has announced his plan to retire before or soon after the denomination’s 2016 General Conference. The announcement was made through a letter to UMPH staff today. The UMPH board, which concluded meetings today, will now initiate a two-year process to search for a new publisher.

At the helm of the house since 1996, Alexander, who is 65, has worked at UMPH since 1988. Previously he was an executive with the General Board of Discipleship and the Southern New Jersey Annual Conference.

EBONY magazine reveals its annual Power 100 list of the nation’s most influential African-Americans in the December/January issue hitting newsstands the week of Nov. 4. On the list are gospel artist Kirk Franklin, Bishop T.D. Jakes and Presiding Bishop Elect Joseph Walker III.

“The EBONY Power 100 speaks volumes about the diversity of our accomplishments and the power of our collective influence across virtually every spectrum of society,” said EBONY Editor-in-Chief Amy DuBois Barnett. “We are thrilled to honor these exceptionally talented people who have inspired and enthralled us, and who have helped to shape our lives.”

Kevin Sumner, founder and CEO of California-based 1 Eighty Apparel has joined forces with Washington Redskins starting offensive tackle Tyler Polumbus to create a new company and Christian active wear line called CLAIMED.

The two connected via social media, and Polumbus called Sumner to discuss his idea for a T-shirt line. Instead, the two took a different direction. Sumner was already researching the $1.5 billion fitness industry and praying about how to implement an active wear line. As a result, there was “instant synergy,” Sumner said, and the CLAIMED partnership was formed.

P. Graham Dunn’s factory retail store has experienced significant growth in sales, despite a down economy. The Dalton, Ohio-based gift supplier seems to have found the key to increasing traffic and profits for its on-campus store, which was up 30% for 2012 and about 15% this year as of October.

Located in a unique situation as the 22,000-square-foot retail store next to the P. Graham Dunn factory and about a half-hour from towns in the area, the store is truly a destination, Retail Operations Manager Todd Krist said.