In a world of increasingly commercialized activity-intentionally staged and technologically mediated-our Christian and seeker marketplace wants to experience what is truly genuine. This challenge can be best defined as the "management of the customer perception of authenticity." To be blunt: You must get real and not just claim you're real.

James Gilmore, co-author of The Experience Economy, contends in his latest book, Authenticity: What Consumers Really Want (Harvard Business School Press), that you and I must learn to manage authenticity as a distinct business discipline.

Kerusso recently gathered four pallets of its products to be sent to Haiti to benefit those affected by the Jan. 12 earthquake. Estimate at nearly $28,000 wholesale, the items are being sent through Operation Compassion, a ministry of Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.) that Kerusso connected with through Victory Church of Northwest Arkansas.

Market research firm IBISWorld expects total Valentine's Day spending to be up 3.3% from 2009, reaching $17.6 billion. But because Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday, the firm anticipates consumers to move from traditional gift-giving towards dining out.

"Because Valentine's Day lands on a Sunday, restaurants are likely to gain traffic throughout the entire weekend," said Toon van Beeck, senior analyst with IBISWorld. "Furthermore, because President's Day is on the following Monday, many consumers will be able to travel over the three-day weekend, further boosting restaurant sales."

Four of DaySpring's "Inspired by the Fireproof Movie" greeting cards comprise a collection in its Valentine's Day 2010 displays. Family Christian Stores is also featuring 20 of the chain's best-selling Fireproof-related cards on a Valentine's season endcap.

DaySpring will again highlight the cards as part of its summer flex offering after Father's Day in approximately 1,100 stores.

Fireproof cards retail for $1.50 each.

B&H Publishing Group will unveil in April a wedding edition of its The Love Dare Day by Day devotional. Retailing for $29.99, The Love Dare Day by Day Wedding Edition will feature a white imitation-leather cover with a two-piece gift box.

Andrea Dennis, trade group marketing and promotions representative for B&H, said that the announcement of the wedding edition had been received warmly by Christian retailers.

Sandy Clough Studio has announced new licensees for 2010. New companies to use Clough's designs are Cypress Home, Downeast Concepts and Evergreen, which introduced various new products in January; Kay Dee Designs, with new releases coming in July; and Manual Woodworkers and Weavers, with new products coming in either March or June.

Additionally, Harvest House Publishers will release two new books from Clough in June. She wrote and illustrated You Can Do Tea and illustrated the book Prayers to Soothe Your Soul.

Gratefulimages is refocusing on its art, not its products, and discontinuing its smaller items, including bookmarks, cards, notepads and magnets. The company is also planning a move from Houston to Michigan this spring.

The company has "had a lot of success" with its license for Demdaco's "Sure Grace" ceramics line, said Elizabeth Trask, marketing coordinator, and plans to expand its licenses in the future. "Our focus has always been the artwork," Trask said.

Jewelry maker Bob Siemon Designs' Pewter Heart Necklace features a reference to Prov. 14:22, which celebrates the love and faithfulness found by those who plan what is good. The pendant features three puffy hearts surrounded by red epoxy.

Made in the U.S.A., the necklace comes on a 20-inch, rhodium-plated cable chain, and the pendant measures 15/16 inches by 15/16 inches. It retails for $16.99.

For more information, visit the company's Web site here. To order, call 800-854-8358.

List based on sales data for Jan. 1-31, 2010, provided by Christian Books & More Gold and used with permission.

Feb. 4-6
Salt Lake Gift Show
Progressive Exhibitors
P.O. Box 13788
Ogden, Utah
801-782-7771
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www.saltlakegiftshow.com