Familiar to many for leading prayer at the opening of many CBA conventions, Jane Charette—a longtime gift-supplier member of the trade association's Exhibitor Advisory Council—says retailers need to "keep a fresh look" when it comes to gifts.

"Keep best-sellers in stock," says Charette, general manager of Gregg Gift Co., in Irvine, Calif., in an interview with Inspirational Gift Mart magazine. "Having just one of an item in stock means lost sales when that piece sells. Change product regularly to keep a fresh look—even if it's just rearranging existing items. Have something fresh and new to keep the frequent shoppers coming back."

Charette notes that the inspirational gift market has changed through the years. "At one time, a Christian bookstore was the only place for religious books, Bibles and gifts," says Charette, who got into the Christian gift world more than 30 years ago. "There is much more competition at retail today. The heart of our bookstores has remained consistent—I am more amazed than ever at their sincere desire to bring the good news of Jesus to their communities."

Read more in the June issue of Inspirational Gift Mart.

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