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 begun 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.

Skip Prichard, president and chief executive officer of Ingram Content Group—which includes Christian products distributor Spring Arbor—told Christian Retailing that the company was working with several retailers on a digital book solution, but he could not elaborate on specifics.

Parable Group CEO Steve Potratz told Christian Retailing that the marketing group was "actively working" on a digital solution for its franchise stores, which will be connected with its e-commerce site, Parable.com.

Potratz added that it is "extremely important" for all Christian retailers to be proactive regarding digital books. "With digital music, we were not aggressive and lost a lot of business," he said. "We don't have to lose books. In fact, I am confident we can win this one. ... It's going to require some major capital investments—and that is where the challenge lies."

Kirk Blank—president of Munce Group, which serves nearly 500 stores nationwide—told Christian Retailing that the marketing group was "working on a solution" for its member stores.

Read the complete report in the November issue of Christian Retailing magazine.

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