Christian Book Distributors (CBD) has announced a partnership with Focus on the Family to take over the organization's e-commerce site and product distribution, effective early next year.

In the last several years, Focus has experienced a decline in its sales of books, CDs and DVDs due to the rise of big-box retailers like Wal-Mart and the rapid growth of e-commerce sites, officials for the world's largest nonprofit organization said.

Due to the distribution agreement, 46 Focus employees will be laid off or re-assigned. "It is certainly heartbreaking … having to say goodbye to some members of our Focus family, but industry realities leave us no alternative," Focus Chief Operating Officer Glenn Williams said. "Partnering with CBD … will increase our efficiency in getting materials into the hands of those who look to us to help their families thrive."

CBD President Ray Hendrickson added: "We have always admired Focus' commitment to serving and strengthening families worldwide. … Focus will be able to reduce its distribution costs by 50%."

The catalog arm of Christianbook.com, CBD is the largest religious catalog company in the world, sending out more than 60 catalogs to millions of customers each year, company officials said. CBD's customers have access to more than 200,000 books, Bibles, CDs, DVDs, gifts, toys and games.

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