Jul 13, 2009

Christian Retailers, Publishers Convene for 60th ConventionBy Lillian KwonChristianPost.com

Denver, CO – Ron and Carolyn Meyer see few young people at their local Christian bookstore. They’re more likely to see moms and grandmothers come in to purchase devotionals that may help guide their children in their faith.

Owners of Genesis Christian Bookstore in Montrose, Colo., the Meyers are among thousands attending the 2009 International Christian Retail Show, now in its 60th year.

Independent and national Christian retailers and publishers have convened in the Mile High city to connect, learn the latest trends and tools to help grow their ministry’s impact, and to support each other – especially during economic hard times.

For the Meyers, the main reason for attending this week’s show is to seek out sources for gift products to feature in their store. But when probed about their customer base, they expressed some concerns over the rarity of seeing a young face.

“We don’t have the youth coming to our stores much anymore,” Ron Meyer said. “They’re getting their music sources [and other] resources elsewhere” – mainly the Internet.

Data collected by R.R. Bowker General Manager Kelly Gallagher and a consumer research panel shows that the “active Christian,” who has a high belief of Scripture and a high level of church involvement, is the core customer of Christian retailers.

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