An industry-wide search is finalized, while other suppliers announce separate services

Details of an industry-wide platform to help brick-and-mortar Christian retail stores secure some of the growing e-book market were expected to be announced last month.

Speaking to Christian Retailing in September, CBA Executive Director Curtis Riskey said that the e-book wish-list solution drawn up following discussions with retailing and publishing leaders had been shopped to possible providers with hopes that the successful candidate might be announced in October.

The need to help stores offer e-book purchase options to customers was identified as a top priority at the International Christian Retail Show in June, since when the CBA-led working group has been looking to come up with a solution that fits as broadly as possible.

Chains, marketing groups 'actively working' or 'not considering' digital solution for growing format

Christian bookstore chains and marketing groups are taking varying approaches for delivering e-books to their stores in order to help them compete in the mushrooming digital market—the fastest-growing sector in the publishing industry.

Despite an industry-wide effort began at the International Christian Retail Show in St. Louis this summer—where the impact of digital publishing on retailers was a major focus—some chains are taking a wait-and-see strategy, while other groups are aggressively looking for ways to make e-books available to their shoppers online or in-store.

With consumer demand rising rapidly, digital books—which generally cost less than hardcover books—have seen explosive growth. E-books made up 2.9% of all trade book sales in the first five months of 2009, but grew to 8.5% in the same period of 2010, according to the Association of American Publishers (AAP)—spurred by sales of the Amazon Kindle and the new Apple iPad. As of June, year-to-date e-book sales were up more than 200% on 2009, AAP said.

Some 'interest' in possible STL Distribution purchase

Potential buyers for STL Distribution North America (STLD) have stepped forward since the wholesaler was put up for sale in August.

Tara Powers, spokesperson for owner Biblica, told Christian Retailing in September that it was "premature to share specific details," but that the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based ministry had "received interest from several companies to date."

Retailers and suppliers both 'encouraged, upbeat and optimistic'

Despite an economy that continues to struggle, sales were brisk and attendance was up for the Munce Group's Christian Product Expo (CPE) from last year's show.

Held Sept. 12-14 at the Embassy Suites Murfreesboro Hotel and Convention Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn., CPE Nashville 2010 saw a 13% increase in retailer attendance over 2009, while supplier attendance was up approximately 8%, according to organizers.

"While the economy is an ever present challenge, retailers and suppliers attend CPE because they know it is beneficial to their businesses," said Munce Group President Kirk Blank. More than 400 retailers and vendors attended the Munce members-only event.

Few if any church bookstores would report an almost 50-year-old message by a former pastor among its best-selling items, but that is the case for the one managed by Oliver Huff.

The address in question is the late Dr. Martin Luther King's ringing "I Have a Dream" challenge to racism, made available at Ebenezer Gift Shop at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where the late Dr. King was on staff.