Retailers told digital book sales ‘window’ may close this year

Retailers continue to await an announcement about a digital book-selling option for Christian stores, more than six months after CBA identified it as the channel’s top priority.

“We working as fast as we can. We are hoping to have a solution as fast as we can,” CBA Executive Director Curtis Riskey said in January.

A group of retail representatives was evaluating about 10 possible systems that could be adopted, which involved asking the providers how they might be adapted to create an industry-wide platform for Christian stores to offer e-books, he said.

Zondervan ‘humbled’ by interest and orders for revised best-selling translation

This month’s arrival in stores of the updated New International Version (NIV) marks the culmination one of the most high-pressure Bible publishing projects ever undertaken. The widely anticipated revision of the best-selling modern translation, the focus of a multimillion-dollar marketing campaign, debuts with more than 150 SKUs prepared in just a few months.

The hot-off-the-press updated NIV comes to a Bible market more crowded than when the previous translation was released in 1984, and with a residue of controversy, but Zondervan has been pleased by its initial reception.

New lines see growing appetite for more expensive, ‘quality’ items; category’s ministry value underscored

It may have been freezing outside, but Christian suppliers at the first big gift show of the year were sensing a thaw in the market when they unveiled new lines in Atlanta.

Though a winter storm meant some buyers were delayed in getting to the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, held Jan. 12-19, several exhibitors sensed consumers warming to higher price points.

“It’s time to lift the ban on anything over $30,” said Joe Knutson, co-president of P. Graham Dunn, at the AmericasMart showcase, celebrating its 50th anniversary. “We feel that the pressure downward on price point is lifting.”

Stores urged to hang in and change up as market continues to alter, group launches children’s focus

Retailers attending Munce Group’s CPE (Christian Product Expo) in Hershey, Pa., held Jan 16-18, were not just given ideas and tools for staying the course in an increasingly tough business climate, but cheered on for doing so.

Representatives of the 130-odd stores registered for the event—open to non-members of the marketing group—were challenged to press on in inspirational addresses by the event’s two keynote speakers.

Addressing the CPE banquet via a live Internet connection after family illness prevented her from traveling, author Anne Graham Lotz acknowledged that many stores were facing hard times, as she spoke about the promise of heaven.

Digital sales increase mirrors record business for electronic readers during busy holiday season

Christian publishers saw “a large spike” in e-book business, following huge sales of Amazon’s Kindle and other e-readers during the holiday season.

Industry leaders predict Christian books will continue to find a growing audience in the mushrooming digital market—the fastest-growing sector in the publishing industry.

After Christmas, Amazon announced that its third-generation Kindle e-reader had sold in the millions. The retail giant reported—also without disclosing specific numbers—that on Christmas Day, more people turned on new Kindles for the first time, downloaded more Kindle applications and purchased more Kindle books than on any other day in the company’s history.

Late arrivals boost attendance for key buying session for overseas markets, new exhibitors pleased

The winter buying convention for the international Christian products world ended on a sunny note after getting off to a cold, slow start.

Attendance at the fourth annual Marketsquare International, hosted in Atlanta Jan. 11-13 by Christian Trade Association International (CTAI), was down from previous years as a result of the storm that all but shut down the city for several days.

Most international travelers made it in, but domestic journeys for many were delayed or even canceled with Atlanta-based authors Cecil Murphey and Cindy Trimm among those unable to make it for scheduled appearances, as local roads were closed.

Renamed retailers’ gathering offers inspiration, training and business in Orlando, Fla., next month

Christian Retailing magazine’s annual event for church and independent Christian bookstore managers and staff is getting a new focus and a new name.

Formerly known as The Gathering, the three-day program of inspiration, training and business will become Retailing ReBoot, scheduled for April 26-29.

To be held in Orlando, Fla., the conference theme will be “Engaging Without Limits,” looking at how retailers can connect more closely with God, with their customers and suppliers.