As cash-strapped consumers continue to keep a tight check on their wallets in the sliding economy, several Christian suppliers, publishers and distributors have launched special promotions designed to help bookstores.

Retailers welcomed the offers-such as apparel company Gardenfire's "Bailout Package"-which they say have helped maintain and even boost sales in an uncertain economic climate.

John Gianotti, owner of Moments With Majesty Christian Books & Gifts in Pickerington, Ohio, told Christian Retailing that Gardenfire's promotion playing off the government's much-publicized financial rescue effort for troubled corporations was "too good to pass up."

Retailers can purchase Gardenfire's entire adult line-featuring more than 70 designs--at $4.95 per shirt, which they then sell for $9.99 a piece.

"It's a very good offer because the shirts typically retail for $14.99 and up," Gianotti said. "What I'm seeing is the discounted shirts are flying off the shelf. People are more price-conscious."

Crossway Books & Bibles' Retailer Recession Relief Program, which runs through April 15, includes a 55% discount on all backlist titles and a delayed payment due date for all orders, to May 15.

"We recognize that things have been very difficult for many CBA retailers," said Crossway Executive Vice President for Sales and Marketing Geoff Dennis. "Crossway wants to do what we can to help relieve some of the pressure Christian retailers are feeling."

Read the full report in the April 6 issue of Christian Retailing.

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