With nearly 500 stores taking part in the initiative, this weekend's first national Christian Store Day was "a success," according to organizers.

"We are very pleased with the initial event and believe that it will build momentum in future years to raise awareness of Christian stores, the needs they serve and fulfill, and their role in the community to lift up and honor Christ," CBA Executive Director Curtis Riskey told Christian Retailing. "Christian Store Day (was) an opportunity to demonstrate the power of ministry and the impact of working together."

More than 100 books, CDs and DVDs were made available for sale as $5, $10 and half-price specials, with vendors supporting the effort also providing free products for giveaways for the the special event--modeled after the successful Record Store Day that has championed independent music retailers in the past few years.

The day also spotlighted a benefit $5 CD--with songs from artists such as Newsboys and TobyMac--which raised money for Compassion International, Samaritan's Purse and World Vision efforts in Haiti.

More than 10,000 of the CDs were purchased by retailers, Riskey said. "We have received feedback that has ranged from wildly enthusiastic and supportive with very proactive plans and events to supportive, but 'tell me what to do,'" he added. "Our greatest challenge was ensuring that retailers and vendors realized Christian Store Day was really going to happen, that the Haitian ministry support was needed, and that action was needed to make it all happen."

Donna Duckhorn, store manager for the church bookstore at Northland, a Church Distributed in Longwood, Fla., told Christian Retailing that Christian Store Day was held "all weekend, so that congregants and visitors could take advantage" of the special promotions.

"It wasn't just Saturday, which we're normally open 4-7 p.m.," she said. "That's not a long time to really do all that work for three hours, and then leave out all the other people. The reason we love this is because it draws people in. But it also shows our customers how much we appreciate them, so it's passing on great deals right before the holidays."

The church store's giveaways included Thomas Nelson's The Word of Promise New Testament, Third Day's Offerings box set, mugs, books, Bibles and DVDs.

Meanwhile, Fran Cantwell--who opened His Word Christian Bookstore in Newark, Ohio, in February--offered giveaways every hour, book signings, live entertainment and free food during Christian Store Day. Proceeds from the event will benefit a local church-affiliated organization, which helps area people in need. "I feel like we should keep everything local," Cantwell told the Newark Advocate.

With a tag line of "celebrate faith and community," Christian Store Day aimed to enthuse existing Christian retail consumers, draw back former customers and attract new shoppers.

Backed by CBA, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the Christian Music Trade Association, the event is being sponsored by Tyndale House Publishers, Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, Word Distribution, EMI CMG Distribution and Provident-Integrity Distribution.

• Prev
• Next