Munce Group has formed a partnership with the Christian Authors Network (CAN), a marketing co-op with more than 100 writers, which seeks to educate authors and promote their books.

After CAN's participation at a sponsored breakfast for Munce's Christian Product Expo in January in Lancaster, Pa., the marketing group developed multiple projects with the co-op "to impact as many lives as possible with Christian materials and drive traffic into independent Christian stores," Munce officials said.

"We were encouraged by the CAN organization," Munce Group President Kirk Blank said. "Their desire to sell more books through the independent retail channel is inspiring. In a time when independent Christian retailers are looking for ways to increase customer traffic and retail sales, this partnership came at just the right time. ... We believe the partnership with the authors associated with CAN will positively impact sales for the Munce Group stores."

Munce, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2011, has nearly 500 member stores nationwide—offering retailers online training, author awareness and monthly contributions to MTL magazine, an online magazine for women that directs readers to Munce Group member stores.

"Proud to partner with Munce," CAN President Bonnie Calhoun said the goal of the co-op is "to give independent retailers the tools to utilize the latest product strategies that will help to sell and expand their market share."

Member stores who log on to retailer.munce.com can benefit from retail training by CAN authors on social media marketing, in-store/book signing appearances and selling books.

Munce is also helping to increase CAN author awareness through in-store event requests, author spotlights and author testimonies on the importance of shopping at local Christian bookstores.

Each month, CAN authors are encouraged to post Munce member stores' electronic catalogs and a link to MTL magazine on their websites. In addition, authors are invited to contribute articles, interviews, blogs and contests for the various columns in MTL.

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