Shoppers are going to take a more balanced approach to spending, but they are still going to celebrate the milestones of life. Our research has found that:

1. Mass merchandisers have reduced their SKU count and variety faster than you have as a Christian retailer. You may have reduced the number of vendors for books, music, gifts and greeting cards, but big-box operators went faster and farther. Still, your store has the edge to support special birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, baptism, communion, confirmation, graduation and the passing of loved ones with appropriate gift products.

Davis Marketing Group is bringing together several faith-based companies to display their products in all-inspirational, permanent showroom at AmericasMart in Atlanta.

"We are trying to take our companies to the customers," Pam Davis, president of Davis Marketing Group, said.

Roman to hold Spring Open House

Roman will be hosting its 2010 Spring Open House from Feb. 15 to March 19 at its corporate showroom in the Chicago Merchandise Mart.

Aside from showing the company's new products, Roman expects to interface with its customers in light of current economic conditions.

Willow Tree creator Susan Lordi will do a signing in the Pumpernickel Press AmericasMart showroom from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday, January 9 in celebration of the launch of the new "Willow Tree Card Collection." Based on the Willow Tree figurines, the collection features 28 designs in two sizes and price points.

The company will also introduce more than 100 new Pumpernickel Press designs in everyday, occasion and Christmas that will be featured in the Atlanta showroom gallery in Atlanta's AmericasMart, and will show its entire line at markets in Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Philadephia and Seattle.

Swanson Christian Products is celebrating 75 years with the 75th edition of its catalog, including 75%-off specials on more than 60 products from magnets to Bible covers.

"We want to thank all of our customers, retail partners and supplier relationships for their part in helping our ministry reach 75 years of service. We look forward to partnering with them for many years to come," said John McKinney Sr., the company's director of operations.

Showing its continued commitment to marrying its products with the Scriptures, Lighthouse Christian Products has begun shipping the We All Need Hope booklet with all of its offerings starting this month.

"For several years we have wanted to share more with the end consumer than just one verse," Amelia Nizynski, vice president of marketing and design department, said. "Last year we began attaching The Power of the Cross-a 14-page booklet explaining the death and resurrection of Jesus-to all of the crosses we manufacture. The response from our retailers and individual customers has been very encouraging."

Color authority Pantone recently announced Pantone 15-5519 turquoise as the color of the year for 2010.

"In many cultures, turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, who noted that the color is believed to be "a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky."

She added: "Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that turquoise represents an escape to many-taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy."

Brownlow Gifts has just added to its stationery collections several new designs of Fashion Notes, including Isabella, Paloma and Sophie.

Retailing for $7.99, each of the Fashion Notes products is a fold-over case with a small ballpoint pen and a place for a photo inside along with a 100-sheet notepad. It measures 3.5 by 4 inches.

The lime/zebra print Isabella features the scripture: "The joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10." The pink/black leopard print Paloma bears the verse, "Rejoice and be glad! Matthew 5:12." And the black/white damask Sophie reads, "God-Grace-Gratitude."

Countertop and spinner displays are available. For more information, see Brownlow's Web site. To order, call 800-433-7610.

List based on sales data for Dec. 1-31, 2009, provided by Christian Books & More Gold and used with permission.

Jan. 13-19, 2010
Dallas Total Home & Gift Market
Dallas Market Center
2100 Stemmons Freeway
Dallas
800-DAL-MKTS
www.dallasmarketcenter.com