Though 2007 was a tough year for music sales in Christian stores, retailers remain committed to this traditionally strong area of their business.

Those reporting declines in music revenues last year outstripped those with sales gains by a ratio of 4-to-1, according to Christian Retailing's latest Vital Signs industry survey which revisited the same ground as a 2006 study.

While 36% of respondents then said they received between 16% and 25% of their total sales from music in the previous year, this time only 20% of stores reported revenue from music in the 16%-20% range.

Meanwhile, though 23% of 2006 respondents said that their music sales were up, this time just 12% posted music sales gains.

And looking ahead, retailers made it clear that they were anticipating more of the same trend in 2008, with one in three predicting continued declines in music sales for the coming year.

Despite the category's overall weak performance, Christian retailers remain steadfast in their support of Christian music.

An overwhelming number of store owners (83%) said having a music department was "worth the extra effort," and nearly all (91.6%) indicated that they would include a music department were they to open a new store in 2008.

Read the full report of the survey in the April 21 issue of Christian Retailing magazine.

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