| CPE Hershey 'very encouraging' |
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| Written by Eric Tiansay | |
| Thursday, 20 January 2011 03:15 PM America/New_York | |
 Bargain books and an expanded gift department were championed as two ways stores can continue to compete as book sales go to other channels and digital editions, at the Munce CPE (Christian Product Expo) in Hershey, Pa., held Jan. 16-18. |
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Lighthouse Christian Products' gift items are being spotlighted in Christian Retailing's Virtual Christian Retailing Winter Show. 
Inspirational gifts are more than just good margin, a veteran retailer told store representatives at a special CBA reception at AmericasMart. 
Handbills and headcounts were among the ideas shared for building business in a retailers' workshop, held Jan. 14-15, at Christian Trade Association International's (CTAI) Marketsquare International in Atlanta. 
Cold weather may have meant a slow start to the first big gift show of the year, with some buyers delayed in their arrival, but Christian suppliers at AmericasMart in Atlanta last week were sensing a thaw in the market. 
Suppliers have begun nominating their best releases of the year in the 2011 Retailers Choice Awards. Companies wishing to enter have until today to take advantage of the Early-Bird discount in the competition's record 45 categories. 
Christian Trade Association International's Marketsquare International winter buying convention ended on a sunny note after getting the cold shoulder, last week. 
Marvin Sapp took home four Stellar Awards at the weekend, garnering trophies in the Artist of the Year and Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year categories, as well as CD of the Year and Traditional CD of the Year for Here I Am (Verity Gospel Music Group/Provident-Integrity Distribution). 