B&H Publishing Group has announced an "overarching brand identity" with its Bible-centered theme, "Every Word Matters."

First used in association with the company's HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible) translation and its emphasis on biblical inerrancy, the tagline has influenced every facet of B&H since the organization began to grow under President Selma Wilson, who arrived in 2010.

"Words really do matter," Wilson said. "It is a huge responsibility to pay attention to our words as we use them to point toward God's Word. Last year there were more than a million books published—a lot of noise. In response to that and to the reader's benefit, B&H is now more intentional than ever in the content that we produce. We have a vision for reaching the world with purposeful words that will give people hope and encouragement, transform their lives and help them to be all that God has created them to be."

Beginning with titles published in April, Every Word Matters will become part of the B&H Books logo, appearing on all products in the Christian Living, Fiction, Leadership and Women categories. The essence of the phrase is also tied to taglines for B&H Academic ("Because Truth Matters"), B&H Kids ("Every little Word Matters") and B&H Español ("Porque cada Palabra importa").

Other B&H brands—Broadman Church Supplies, Holman Bible Publishers, Holman Reference, HCSB, CrossBooks, MyStudyBible.com and WORDsearch—will maintain their current identities while adhering to the spirit of the initiative.

New and forthcoming titles from B&H include Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart by J.D. Greear; Brothers, We Are Not Professionals by John Piper; Experiencing God at Home by Tom and Richard Blackaby (May 1); Ever After by Vicki Courtney (June 1); The Love Dare for Parents by Stephen and Alex Kendrick (July 1); Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary: Exalting Jesus in Matthew by David Platt (Sept. 1); Whispers of Hope by Beth Moore (Oct. 1); and Operation Christmas Child by Franklin Graham (Oct. 1).

Retail sales grew in January, despite rising gas prices and a 2% payroll tax hike.

The U.S. Department of Commerce will announce U.S. retail sales figures for January this week, but a projected 0.1% retail sales rise in January follows a 0.5% increase in December, according to the median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists before Feb. 13 announcement. Core retail sales—excluding the more volatile categories of autos, building materials and fuel—rose 0.3%, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).

"Today's retail sales figures continue to indicate a stable yet fragile economy," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. "Consumers are continuing to hold back on spending just as our economy is held back by political brinkmanship in D.C. The failure to address the critical challenges confronting our economy will continue to dampen consumer confidence, which will in turn mute sales and growth. The economy will continue to limp along until our politicians finally address our tax and spending challenges and put forward a pro-growth, pro-jobs agenda."

Twenty major retailers recently reported that revenue at stores opened at least a year—an indicator of a store's health—increased an average of 5.1%, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers, which is above the trade group's 3% estimate, Associated Press reported.

Additionally, same-store sales for the more than 20 companies tracked by Boston-based research firm Retail Metrics rose 4.5% in January from the same month in 2012—the biggest year-to-year gain since September 2011, Bloomberg reported.

Gap, the largest U.S. apparel chain, posted an 8% gain in sales, double the average estimate of 4% in a survey by Retail Metrics. Target, the second-largest U.S. discounter, posted a gain of 3.1%, above projections of 1.7%.

Employers added 157,000 workers last month after an increase of 196,000 jobs in December and a 247,000 jump in November, according to the most recent U.S. Labor Department data, Bloomberg reported.

Gift companies are invited to enter their top releases in the 2013 Christian Retailing’s Best awards, honoring the best products in the Christian retail market. This Friday, Feb. 15, is the deadline to enter this year’s awards program, which is sponsored by Christian Retailing magazine.

Entries are invited in more than 60 categories of 2012 products—books, Bibles, gifts, music, DVDs, children’s products and more—along with categories for Marketing/Promotion Campaigns and Backlist titles. Click here to nominate. Those nominating will be invoiced for the entry fee of $60 per nomination, and no sample product is required this year.

New Day Christian Distributors is bringing a popular brand to the Christian gift market. New products distributed under license from Duck Commander capitalize on the following of fans of the A&E TV reality show Duck Dynasty.

The products are similar to what is already available in the general market, but with the “Faith-Family-Ducks” wording on the products, which include mesh hats, license plates, can coolers, key chains and more. Retail prices range from $4.29 to $14.99.

Munce Group's CPE (Christian Product Expo) returned to its longtime venue in Hershey, Pa., last month and saw a rise in overall attendance.

Munce Group President Kirk Blank told Christian Retailing that "we were all happy to be back in Hershey."

"We had a few more vendors than last year, and a significant increase in authors and speakers," he said. "Attendance overall was up. Retail attendance was about the same."

In 2012, CPE was held at the Lancaster Convention Center in Lancaster, Pa., but the marketing group decided to bring the show back to the Hershey Lodge after receiving feedback from vendors and retailers.

Held Jan. 20-22, CPE Hershey drew nearly 200 retailers, representing more than 100 Christian stores. The event featured the theme from 2 Cor. 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

"These two days are as productive as two weeks in-store," said Michelle Bails, manager of Lion and Lamb: A New Beginning in Niles, Ohio.

Lee Yeckel, sales director for Anchor Distributors, said the event was a success.

"It is a great way to meet other suppliers and distributors and gain knowledge into the Christian bookstore marketplace," Yeckel said. "Being new to this industry, I was so pleased at the friendly, caring and sharing attitude of all involved. This show is a true blessing."

CPE Hershey kicked off Jan. 20 with a Bible conference led by authors Linda Evans Shepherd and Johnnie Moore, (Dirty God, Thomas Nelson) followed by a special dinner with author and producer Bill Myers and Dwight Mason, author of Only God (Barbour Publishing) during the Night of Worship.

Following the Night of Worship, there were screenings of Ring the Bell (Provident Distribution) and Home Run (Provident Films), scheduled to hit theaters April 19.

"We love CPE," said Bill White, vice president of sales for NOTW. "This was only our second show, but the business we do there is growing with each event. The size and location of the shows provide an intimacy that just isn't achieved in other tradeshow venues."

Munce, which serves more than 500 stores nationwide, emphasizes order-writing at CPE by motivating retailers with a reimbursement program that helps to offset travel, food and hotel expenses.

CPE Murfreesboro is set for Sept. 22-24 at the Embassy Suites Murfreesboro hotel and conference center in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Regal Books author Richard Twiss died Saturday, Feb. 9, of complications following a heart attack while he was in Washington, D.C., for the National Prayer Breakfast. He was 58.

The co-founder and president of Wiconi International, an organization that aims toward reconciliation between Native Americans and other Americans, was a Christianity Today magazine contributor, a former columnist for Charisma magazine and author of One Church, Many Tribes, published by Gospel Light in 2000.

In a statement, Gospel Light/Regal Books officials said: "Richard was a gentle man with a clear vision and calling, which was stated best in his book, 'Unless all the various parts that God designed to make up the whole are intact and functioning, there is dysfunction. Each and every part must be connected and engaged, or there is no possible way for the whole to function fully and according to God's design and best plan.' "

Twiss was a member of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate people from the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. Twiss is survived by his wife, Katherine, and four sons, Andrew, Phillip, Ian and Daniel-Emmett.

Send The Light Distribution launched a new discount program for Christian retailers yesterday, Feb. 11, called Simply 42, which replaces the $5k Advantage Program.

Instead of having to qualify for different discount levels based on purchases, all customers of the Elizabethton, Tenn.-based wholesaler who were formerly part of $5k Advantage will now receive a 42% discount on all books and Bibles, except "short discount" products such as homeschool and music, company officials said.

Mark Phillips, the distributor's vice president of sales and marketing, said that customers have been waiting for such a program.

"Our Simply 42 is not an elaborate program, complicated discount structure or volume-driven incentive scheme that no one understands," he said. "It simply gives our retail partners access to over 58,000 Christian books and Bibles at a 42% discount—no strings attached. The retailer doesn't have to worry about what discount level they currently are at, it is simply 42%."

He added that preliminary talks with customers indicated the program is "long-anticipated and will be very well received."

"We believe with our East and West Coast distribution centers giving our customers one- to two-day service, free shipping on orders of 15 units or more and a straight 42% discount on a very broad range of Christian books and Bibles ... allows Send The Light Distribution to serve the needs of our customers and enable them to maximize the benefits of using a distributor," Phillips said.

Send The Light President and CEO Glenn Bailey added: "Simply 42 will make it easier for our customers to qualify for our best discounts and know what they are getting in advance."