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STL Distribution NA for sale
STL Distribution North America (STLD), the USA’s second-largest Christian products distributor, has been put up for sale, reports Christian Retailing
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Archbishop Tutu calls it a day
Archbishop Desmond Tutu will retire from public life this autumn
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HarperCollins increases profits 500%
HarperCollins UK has said it has made “significant operating profit growth” for its latest financial year
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Waterstone's takes more than £500m in book sales
Waterstone's sold more than half a billion pounds' worth of books in the year ending 24th April 2010
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Sales at S&S UK rise 18%
Sales at Simon & Schuster UK increased by 18% year on year for the three months to end of June
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July book market sees first growth in months
July saw the UK's first positive month of sales since September 2009
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Amazon launches UK Kindle store
Amazon launched its UK Kindle store on 5th August with more than 400,000 titles available
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Amazon and Apple under investigation for e-book pricing
Amazon.com and Apple are under investigation by a US attorney general for using most favoured nation clauses in their agreements with publishers to sell e-books
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WH Smith slashes e-book prices
W H Smith made all its e-books half price last month, just days after launching a two-thirds off offer on its top 100 fiction e-books
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The Works looks to expand to “600 stores”
Discount bookseller The Works is planning to more than double its number of branches, arguing there is room for up to 600 stores in the UK
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Barnes & Noble board considers sale of US bookseller
The US's largest book chain Barnes & Noble could be sold as part of an evaluation of “strategic alternatives” to boost its share price
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Shrewsbury’s Illuminate saved at 11th hour
Shrewsbury’s Illuminate Christian bookshop was given a new lease of life after churches and local people saved it from closure. The Illuminate Trust officially took over the business on 1st August
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BRF partner with Compassion UK for Christmas
BRF is to partner with the Christian child development organisation Compassion UK for its 2010 Barnabas Christmas promotion
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Alpha International distribution clarification
STL Distribution have asked us to point out that they continue to distribute both the Alpha Course and the Marriage Course materials and associated ancillary products
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GMA moves Dove Awards to Atlanta
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced in July that it was moving the Dove Awards event to Atlanta in 2011
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STL D continue exclusive agreement with Harvest House
STL Distribution and Harvest House Publishers have signed a new agreement which will see STL Distribution continue to act as the exclusive sales representative and distributor of Harvest House product throughout the United Kingdom and Europe
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Living Oasis ‘not ashamed of the gospel’
The Bookseller reported last month (9th August) that Living Oasis, part of the Nationwide Christian Trust, were planning to ‘de-Christianise’ the windows of the former Wesley Owen stores they acquired earlier this year and ‘remove the Christian paraphernalia’
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Discount for early sign-up to Marketsquare International
ChristianTrade Association International have announced a $300 discount for all exhibitors who sign up for the Marketsquare International event by 15th September
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Bestseller Charts
See this months books and music bestsellers lists...
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Street Pastors in the news
Eight months after its publication, Les Isaac’s gripping account of the creation of one of the UK Church’s most effective community initiatives is starting to gain a lot of attention.
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Steve gets on his bike
Norwich Christian Resource Centre manager, Steve Foyster, is aiming to cycle 120 miles from his home north of Norwich to Tower Bridge, London in an effort to raise funds for various improvements to the shop, café and garden area within the centre
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Choosing to SEE: A different sort of biography
Mary Beth Chapman’s biography, ‘Choosing to SEE’ (published this month by Revell), is not the usual ‘Christian celebrity – everything is working out fine’ sort of book
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First Plass poetry
Currently enjoying chart success with his first co-written book, Seriously Funny (written with Jeff Lucas), Adrian Plass now notches up another first with the publication of Silences and Nonsenses
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NIV Bible tops e-book charts
New International Version (NIV) Bibles are among the fastest-selling e-book products on Apple's iBookstore and Amazon's Kindle Store
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HarperCollins ride the Dawn Treader
HarperCollins Children’s Books are preparing for the latest Chronicles of Narnia film release, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by Walden Media and Fox in December, with a number of autumn “tie-in” releases.
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Finding Oasis – the real world of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’
A new book, Finding Oasis, by Clare Nonhebel, takes the reader into the real world of the slums of Mumbai, the home of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’
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Kiswahili ABC marks a milestone for Africa
WordAlive Publishers in Kenya announced at the end of July the publication of the first Africa Bible Commentary (ABC) in an African language
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Fifty Eastern European publishers at Marketsquare Europe
ChristianTrade Association International is organizing a two-day translation rights show in Oradea, Romania.
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STLD North America announces POD service
Same-day shipping of print-on-demand books for Christian stores will be available from STL Distribution North America (STLD), from 2011, reports Christian Retailing.
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Task force to look at e-book delivery for stores
CBA and ECPA are facilitating an industry task force to determine if a viable cooperative solution can be found to enable Christian stores to deliver e-books through their Web sites to consumers.
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IBS-STL creditor funds diminishing
The latest progress report to creditors of the failed IBS-STL UK company, which went into administration last November, reveals that the amount of monies recovered is unlikely to bring much joy to those owed money as a result of the collapse...
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Durham Cathedral bookshop tribunal hearing
It was reported in the Newcastle Journal (7th July) that six workers at Durham Cathedral’s bookshop are seeking compensation after their employment was allegedly terminated when the shop unexpectedly closed on January 22nd this year...
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Day of Prayer – 3rd September
As announced at the Stronger Together retreat at High Leigh in May, the next (third) Day of Prayer for the Christian Trade will take place on 3rd September 2010...
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CRT – moving forward together
The Christian Resources Together (CRT) working committee met in June to review the High Leigh retreat and the Retailers Day held during at CRE at Sandown Park...
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ICRS attendance down 2%
Attendance at this year's International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) turned out to be a fraction lower than last year - not higher, as earlier announced by CBA, reports Christian Retailing...
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Sovereign World move distribution to CLC
It was announced in July that Sovereign World had decided to move wholesale supply of their books to CLC Wholesale, with effect from 1st September 2010...
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Marketsquare Europe moves closer to FBF
This year’s Marketsquare Europe event, organised by ChristianTrade (CTAI), takes place in Oradea in Romania in October, just days before the world’s largest international book gathering - the Frankfurt Book Fair...
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Nelson guarantee Bibles for life!
Thomas Nelson announced last month that, from 1st August 2010, they are offering a ‘Lifetime guarantee’ on all of their Bibles...
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Nelson establish UK base
Nelson establish UK base...
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Nibloe honoured at High Leigh
Nibloe honoured at High Leigh...
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Christian Resources Awards 2010
The inaugural Christian Resources Awards were made at
the Awards Dinner held on the first evening of the National
Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE)...
» more
Koorong set to grow Authentic
Koorong set to grow Authentic
and Paternoster...
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The E100 Bible Reading Challenge
Three leading Bible agencies, Bible
Society, Scripture Union and Wycliffe,
announced last month plans for a
coordinated approach to stimulating Bible
reading across Britain and Ireland as part
of Biblefresh in 2011.
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Tom Wright to retire to academia
It was announced last month that the
Bishop of Durham, Dr Tom Wright, is
to retire and will become Research
Professor of New Testament and Early
Christianity at the University of St
Andrews in Fife in September. Wright
could have remained in post for a further
eight years, until he was 70.
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30 more jobs go at Zondervan
Zondervan laid off a further 30 employees
in April as part of “consolidation of some
publishing units”. The publisher, which still
has 374 employees, said it was streamlining
operations, but was also hiring people for
its digital and multimedia operations, The
Grand Rapids Press reported.
» more
CRE attendance slightly up
Figures released by Christian Resources
exhibitions after the 2010 National CRE
at Sandown Park last month showed a
slight increase on 2009. The total number
attending the four-day event was 12,754
compared to 12,433 in 2009. Both figures
include exhibitors as well as visitors. Event
director, Steve Briars, said that he felt this
was an encouraging upward trend given
the economic climate.
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CC retain control of SSG
It was revealed in March (12th) that, following a Case Summary, the Charity Commission (CC) had decided to retain controlm of the St Stephen the Great Charitable Trust (SSG)...
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Kinsgway to distribute Hillsong
One of the most important decisions
for UK Christian retailing, post the
IBS-STL UK collapse, was announced
on 16th April...
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A new Hub in Walsall
One month to the day that Wesley Owen Books and Music in Walsall locked its doors for the final time, The Hub Christian Resource Centre opened to the public on 26th February...
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45 redundancies at STL-D in Carlisle
It was announced at the end of February
that, following the end of a consultation
period, started after the acquisition of
STL-D by John Ritchie Ltd in December
2009, 45 positions out of the 180 jobs in
Carlisle (25%) were redundant...
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Koorong set to grow Authentic and Paternoster names as Biblica drops them
The announcement by Biblica Inc., in April, that was launching its refocused publishing ministry as Biblica Publishing, has cleared away any potential confusion over the Authentic and Paternoster names...
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Plass opens Living Oasis centre in Harrogate
The former Wesley Owen bookshop in Harrogate, was reopened on Saturday 13th February by Adrian Plass...
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Biblefresh launch at CRE
It’s the most provocative and influential book ever published - and reclaiming its life-transforming message will be at the heart of the National Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) to be held at Sandown Park from 11th-14th May 2010...
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Kingsway North America
David C Cook recently announced the expansion of its UK-based music ministry, Kingsway Music, into the USA...
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More rooms released for High Leigh Retreat
Standard rooms now available at £84.00
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Join the campaign to make Delirious? No1 in the Easter chart
A recent Facebook campaign to get a Christian single topping the charts at Easter has made a breakthrough...
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Prayer meeting for Christian Trade at Westminster Chapel
As part of the Day of Prayer for the Christian Trade on 26th March, a prayer meeting has been organised to take place in Westminster Chapel...
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Major casualties revealed in IBS-STL UK collapse
Clem Jackson reports on the impact on the trade resulting from the demise of the UK’s leading Christian media supplier
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Day of Prayer – 26th March
Following the success of the first Day of
Prayer last September, it is proposed to
hold a second Day of Prayer for the UK
Christian trade on Friday 26th March 2010.
» more
The Shack hits 500,000 sales in UK
Love it or loath it, you can’t ignore The
Shack.
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Kingsway to distribute direct
Kingswayt to return trade distribution to its premises in Eastbourne
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A new beginning in Durham?
Durham Cathedral Chapter
announced last month that a new shop at
the Cathedral, under its own management,
was set to open on 1st March 2010.
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Stronger Together – Weaker Apart
Over 100 people from across the UK
Christian media industry braved difficult weather conditions
to gather for the Christian
Resources Together Consultation Day.
» more
Beyond IBS-STL: The view from the bridge
As the dust begins to settle a little on the
biggest ever shake up in the UK Christian
media industry, Christian Marketplace
caught up with three of the men who have
been right at the helm of the changes...
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Day of Prayer – 26th March
Following the success of the first Day of Prayer last September, it is proposed to hold a second Day of Prayer for the UK Christian trade on Friday 26th March 2010...
» more
Christian Resources Awards 2010
Urgent request for award nominations...
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Bookings open for new industry retreat
Bookings for a new event for the Christian trade in UK, unveiled at a consultation day in London on 12th January, are already coming in and members of the Christian trade are urged to sign up to avoid disappointment...
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Delirious go out making history
Hammersmith Apollo ‘rocks for God’ so watch out for the DVD
» more
The Hub announces plans to rescue Walsall
The Hub Christian Resource Centre announces plans to rescue Walsall
bookshop.
» more
Tight timescale for SSG creditors
Having taken control, from St Stephen the
Great Charity (SSG), of ten of the shops
in the former SPCK Bookshop chain,
the Interim Manager appointed by the
Charities Commission to handle the affairs
of SSG, has set about realising the assets
to help pay off creditors of the decimated
retailing business.
» more
London Mayor supports Street Pastors
London Mayor, Boris
Johnson, recently
attended the launch of
a book recording the
development of one of
the most important new
developments in the life of
the UK.
» more
HarperCollins to distribute through IVP and Norwich
HarperCollins announced last month
two new distribution deals to “ensure
availability of its market-leading titles to
Christian retailers”.
» more
Chichester bookshop re-opens
St Olav, an independent Christian Bookstore
and Resource Centre, opened on Saturday
12 December at 10:00am in St Olave's,
the premises of the former SPCK (SSG)
bookshop in North Street in the city.
» more
Lion Hudson to represent Elevation to UK trade
Elevation (formerly ICC Records) announced
in December that Lion Hudson PLC will
provide representation of their music and
resources catalogue to the UK Christian
and general trade from January 1st 2010.
» more
IBS-STL UK to be broken up
Clem Jackson reports on the breaking news that John Ritchie, Kingsway, Koorong and CLC have all stepped in to pick up parts of IBS-STL UK’s business operations...
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BREAKING NEWS: Call for creditors of SSG
All creditors of the operations conducted under the management of the St Stephen’s the Great (SSG) charity and associated companies are urged to contact the interim manager appointed by the Charities Commission as detailed below...
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IBS-STL UK up for sale
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Former SPCK Bookshops up for sale
The saga surrounding the former SPCK bookshops took another, possibly final, twist last month when For Sale signs appeared on two of the SSG Bookshop premises almost three years to the day after SPCK gifted the 23-strong bookshop chain to St Stephen the Great Charitable Trust (SSGCT) ‘led’ by J Mark Brewer...
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Beyond CBC – looking ahead
After a year of transition plans are developing for a new approach to the ‘trade gathering’
as the representative bodies and CRE get together to determine how best to ‘meet the
needs of the trade’...
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News from New Zealand
Rick Iles, an exiled Kiwi living in Vienna, Austria, recently paid a visit to his homeland and whilst there he checked out the Christian bookselling trade...
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Coming out of the Twilight
With the release on November 20th of the film New Moon based on Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga, a new book from author Dave Roberts examining the impact of the Twilight Saga on society, seems timely...
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IBS-STL UK ANNOUNCES PLANS TO SELL OPERATIONS
LEADING CHRISTIAN CHARITY IBS-STL UK ANNOUNCES PLANS TO SELL OPERATIONS DUE TO FINANCIAL CHALLENGES...
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CBC/CRE consultation underway
By the time this issue of Christian Marketplace is published the first of two consultation meetings regarding the future of CBC and CRE will have taken place.
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Edwin Cross (1951 – 2009)
It was with much sadness that we learned recently of the death of Edwin Cross, the founder of Chapter Two Books.
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Family Books looking for new owner
David Brassington, who founded Family Books in Keynsham, Somerset, in 1983, is now looking for a buyer for the business as he moves into retirement.
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Eikon launch in Portadown
Faith Mission Bookshop in Portadown hosted the launch of the new Eikon Bible Art download service, from John Ritchie Ltd, on the evening of 17th September.
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Eden’s giveaway causes a stir
A recent email offer from online Christian retailer Eden seemed to cause a bit of a stir across the industry – at least the ‘blogging’ part of it.
» more
New address for UKCBD
UKCBD, the UK Christian Bookshops Directory, has moved.
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And then there was one...
The final stages in the sad and, for many, devastating demise of then former SPCK Bookshops chain edged ever closer last month with the closure of the Chichester bookshop...
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A new NIV for 2011
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Quench - a new name on the high street
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Delirious final show sold out
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Marketsquare Asia 2009 boosts Asian booksellers
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And then there was one...
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Day of prayer for UK Christian book trade
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Victory for former SSG bookshop staff
An 18 month struggle for justice moved
closer to a conclusion when 32 former SSG
Bookshops staff, unfairly dismissed by
the owners, Mark and Phil Brewer, finally
won a substantial payout with the help of
shopworkers’ union Usdaw.
» more
Danby quashes rumours of STL's demise
Rumours throughout the trade of the
imminent demise of STL (a division
of Biblica UK) may have been a little
premature, but they were certainly not
without foundation.
» more
Coming up trumps with the Bible
A new game, based on an old playground
favourite, Top Trumps but using biblical
characters, has caught the attention of the
national press with the Sunday Express
running a piece on the new “trading card”
game Testament Trumps launched earlier
this year.
» more
Saying no to Halloween
As Halloween continues to
grow in popularity - and in terms
of retail spend - it becomes
more and more apparent that
churches need to be creative in
providing alternatives to ‘Trick
or Treating’ and ‘Ghost and
Ghoul’ parties.
» more
Oxfam accused of damaging independents
The charity Oxfam has been accused
of being the “Tesco of the second-hand
book world” and driving bookshops out
of business.
» more
Nelson’s general market sales up 149%
Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced last
month that, for the quarter ending 30th
June, the company saw significant
growth in its sales to general market
bookstores. The total net revenue of
their general market bookstore accounts
grew 149% compared to the same
period last year.
» more
Redemptorist to distribute St Pauls
It was announced last month that from 1st
September the distribution and marketing
of all St Pauls Publishing titles is to be
conducted by Redemptorist Publications
» more
Authentic Media announce new agreement
Authentic Media announce new agreement
» more
Numbers down at ICRS 60th
Attendance was down 24% on 2008 at the recent International Christian Retail Show in Denver last month....
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Marketsquare Asia 2009 set for Hong Kong
ChristianTrade Association International’s (CTAI) Marketsquare Asia 2009 will be held from 6th-8th September at the Cityview Hotel ...
» more
VeggieTales parent company sold again
Big Idea Inc. which owns VeggieTales, has changed hands again...
» more
Trade shows not cost-effective says Hyatt
Writing on his blog on 3rd July, Mike Hyatt, Thomas Nelson’s CEO, outlined the reasons why the company would not be at ICRS again this year.
» more
Biblica – the new name for IBS-STL
At a meeting of the Global Board in
Colorado Springs last month it was
unanimously agreed that the new
name for IBS-STL is to be Biblica.
» more
CC move in on SSG shops
Following the recent closure of a number of the former SSG (and ENC) bookshops it now seems clear ...
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Gearing up for ICRS at 60
The 60th International Christian Retail
Show (ICRS) takes place at the Denver
Convention Center from 12th to 15th
July.
» more
Bauckman wins Ramsey prize
Jesus and the
Eyewitnesses by Richard Bauckham has won the Ramsey prize at the
Guardian Hay festival on 28th May.
» more
Zondervan part company with Matthews
A press release from Zondervan last month announced that the company had decided
to ‘eliminate’ its UK Sales and Marketing
role based in the UK.
» more
More closures at SSG bookshops
Following the intervention of the Charities Commission in May all but two of the original 23 bookshops acquired by SSG from SPCK in 2006 are now closed.
» more
Major developments in the SSG Bookshops story
After a relatively quiet few months, May saw a number of major devlopments unfold in the SSG Bookshop saga in a very short space of time...
» more
Book Expo losses over $250k
The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has decided not to repeat its consumer-focused Christian Book Expo (CBE), following the event's failed debut in March...
» more
CHP going to HA&M
Further consolidation in the Christian publishing industry seems inevitable with the announcement last month...
» more
Marketsquare Europe 2009 cancelled
ChristianTrade Association International’s (CTAI) 2009 Marketsquare Europe has fallen victim to the current economic climate...
» more
Christian Marketplace goes digital
The current issue of Christian Marketplace sees a new development with the launch of a free digital version of the magazine sitting alongside the print version...
» more
Family Reading closes for business
Family Reading Publications, a wholesaler of Christian books, Bibles, and resources in Australia, is closing...
» more
Nelson sign up Integrity
Integrity-Provident Distribution has been appointed as a second UK distributor for the full range of Thomas Nelson products.
» more
Publishers put on brave face after Book Expo flops
The much heralded, first-of-its-kind, Christian Book Expo (CBE), organised by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) in the UK flopped beyond all expectations...
» more
New structure at IBS-STL UK
Three months after returning to the UK to take personal control of the IBS-STL UK operation Keith Danby, CEO, has completed the first stage of his review...
» more
Plass' new book challenges the church
Best-selling author Adrian Plass is challenging the UK church to be more truthful in his new book...
» more
'The Love Dare' passes 2 million in print
The Love Dare book, a New York Times no. 1 bestseller once again in February, now has 2.2 million copies in print.
» more
New trade website from John Ritchie
The launch of the new John Ritchie trade website builds on recent progress made by the company to streamline current business processes
» more
Joining the dots at Memralife
You may not have heard of Memralife Group, but you will know of its constituent parts...
» more
Bishop opens new bookshop in bury
The Rt. Revd. Nigel McCulloch, the Bishop of Manchester, performed the opening ceremony of a new Christian bookshop in Bury, Greater Manchester...
» more
Kingsway gets Fierce!
Kingsway Communications had acquired Fierce! Distribution...
» more
Family Christian Stores back CompassionArt
The biggest Christian retail chain in the USA has decided to throw its full weight of support behind the Compassionart project
» more
McLaren at Spring Harvest 2009
Internationally renowned author, speaker and pastor Brian D McLaren will be appearing at Spring Harvest Skegness, Weeks 1 and 2 next month
» more
The Unicorn Tree is Growing
There’s a real success story developing in Lincoln
» more
Good news in Letchworth
The Christian Bookshop in Letchworth is bucking the trend in the current economic crisis
» more
CBC 2010 set for May
Following the consultation meeting held at Sandown Park in January, Christian Resources Exhibitions Ltd (CRE) have announced that ...
» more
Finding God in The Shack
It’s a bit like Marmite, or so it seems. Most people either love it or hate it. But it is a fact that The Shack, a runaway bestseller across the world, has made an impact and taken the church by surprise.
» more
Our survey said...
The Christian Marketplace Reader Survey, which appeared in the October 2008 issue of the magazine, revealed some interesting information, providing useful feedback and opinions from our readers.
» more
SSG Tribunal date set for May
Ex-employees of the beleaguered SSG bookshop chain (formerly SPCK Bookshops) moved closer to getting their claims against their employer heard with the announcement of the date for a preliminary hearing in May (11-13), to be held in Bury St Edmunds.
» more
Lively CBC meeting at Sandown
Around 100 people from across the Christian retail industry attended a lively and productive consultation meeting at Sandown Park in Esher on 13th January to
hear proposals for CBC 2009.
» more
Keith Danby takes control at IBS-STL UK
IBS-STL’s Global President Keith Danby has taken back leadership of the UK charity
and is ‘deeply embarrassed’ by the shortcomings of STL’s new ordering system in an
exclusive interview with Christian Marketplace.
» more
Breaking the Mould in 2009
The theme for this year’s CBC, to be held at Sandown Park in May (12th-15th) as part of CRE, is somewhat appropriately titled “Breaking the Mould”...
» more
Alison wins holiday
Alison Brown, from The Corner Stone Bookshop and Café in Cirencester, is the winner of the holiday at Le Pas Opton, Spring Harvest Holidays holiday park in the Vendeé, France...
» more
CBC Awards 2009 shortlist announced
Despite the move of CBC from March to May this year, the CBC Awards will still be made at the Awards Dinner, which this year will take place during the event on the evening of Tuesday 12th May...
» more
Recession begins to bite in USA
November saw the first in what may yet turn out to be a flood of staff reductions in some of the major players in the Christian business world as the global recession begins to bite...
» more
How would Jesus lead worship?
So which is the right way to worship God? With guitars and drums; with decks and strobes; robed choirs and organs; monastical plainsong; Wesley hymns or in comtemplative quietness?
» more
ICRS down to four days
CBA is to shorten its annual summer show from five to four days. The decision is a cost-cutting move as well as response to feedback from exhibitors, the trade association said...
» more
A new era for CBC
2009 sees the planned Christian Booksellers Convention (CBC), due to be held at the Telford International Centre in March, moved to become part of the extended Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) held at Sandown Park, Surrey from 12th-15th May 2009...
» more
Lockhart and Bolinder join IBS-STL Global
It was announced last month that two former Zondervan executives, Doug Lockhart and Scott Bolinder are to take up appointments with IBS-STL Global, based in Colorado Springs...
» more
A prophecy being fulfilled
A book written in 1997, as a response to a prophecy, is being re-released this month because as Paul Slennett, one of the authors says, “the prophecy we got then is for now, it’s happening now.”
» more
Bible Society to take over CBC
2009 Event moves to Esher in May...
» more
The ‘wow’ factor in Portadown
The new Faith Mission bookshop in Portadown, NI, is making a big impact on the people of the area and beyond. Simon Cowell may talk about the ‘X’ Factor but Jim McKee, manager of the bookshop believes that the new shop has the ‘Wow’ factor, and so it seems do his customers...
» more
ASCAP Award for Riley
Ken Riley from YFriday found himself in some pretty exalted pop music company at the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) London Awards ceremony on 15th October when his song “Everlasting God” (Thankyou Music) received an award from the society...
» more
Compassion breaks through
The forthcoming launch of the first CompassionArt album and DVD and the accompanying book, The Art of Compassion (which you can read about on pages 28- 35) has occasioned a level of cooperation between publishers rarely, if ever, seen before...
» more
New chapter for market book shops
The Christian Bookshop in Neath market, owned by the Evangelical Movement of Wales (EMW), reopened last month after refurbishment, reported the Neath Guardian (09.10). It is one of ten shops to be refurbished across Wales...
» more
ICRS 'may look different' in 2009
CBA is preparing changes to its annual summer show, which will mark its 60th anniversary in Denver next July (12th–16th) says Christian Retailing...
» more
Come on a fantastic journey
Only 27% of English churchgoers open their Bible once a week. So CWR recently announced their plans to encourage churches throughout the UK to engage in reading the Bible in a year in 2009 by ‘Coming on a Fantastic Journey’...
» more
SSG Bankruptcy filed ‘in bad faith’
Attempts by the owners of UK bookshop chain SSG (formerly SPCK) to enjoy the protection of Chapter 7 bankruptcy have been thrown out by a US court...
» more
Good News for Cardiff
On Saturday 6th September, Churches Together Bookshop in Cardiff officially opened with a service of dedication held in the shop lead by the Rev. Tom Arthur, minister at the U.R.C. City church...
» more
Norwich bookshop re-opens
Plans are well under way for the re-opening of a bookshop and café on the site of the former SSS/SPCK Bookshop in Norwich...
» more
New Bookshop opens in York
A new bookshop in the centre of York, situated between the Minster and the Shrine of St Margaret Clitherow on the Shambles, was officially opened by the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough, the Rt Revd Terence Drainey, on 11th September...
» more
Poverty & Justice Bible available to trade
After receiving more than a little criticism from retailers that the Poverty and Justice Bible was not available for sale through bookshops, Bible Society and HarperCollins have now reached agreement to make this Bible available to the retail trade through STL Distribution...
» more
SSG Bankruptcy delay could impact on Tribunal claims
A delay in the hearing of the beleaguered SSG bookshop chain’s claim for bankruptcy in the USA could have implications for the forthcoming Industrial Tribunal cases lodged by former SSG bookshop staff in the UK...
» more
Robertson back on the Bridge
The last year has been a difficult one for Christian retailing in Exeter. In May 2007 Wesley Owen closed their shop in the city and then in July of this year the SSG (former SPCK) bookshop closed, leaving another cathedral city without a Christian bookshop...
» more
The Shack makes The Independent
The amazing story of The Shack has made it into the mainstream press with The Independent running a feature article on the book’s story in its 19th July issue...
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Thompson crosses the pond
Ian Thompson, General Manager of Christian Focus Publications (CFP) since 1995, is to move to America and join P&R Publishing as Vice President – Sales & Marketing...
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Clifford to open new bookshop
Having been made redundant last month from his position as manager of Sarum College Bookshop, Mark Clifford, who is also Chair of the Christian Bookseller’s Group of the Bookseller’s Association, is to open his own bookshop in the city in the coming weeks...
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Tanya’s story
How God uses people strategically is evidenced in the story of Tanya Tang and KingNeed, the company which has produced the first electronic colour Bible on a PDA...
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Hundreds gather to celebrate the life of Worcester bookseller
The magnificent stone nave of Worcester’s 11th century cathedral resounded to the praise of over 600 worshippers as the Christian community of Worcester and beyond came to give thanks for the life of ‘a much loved bookseller’...
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Hughes and Guinness for CBC
The board of CBC have announced that Tim Hughes will be providing the music at the CBC Awards Dinner event in Telford on March 2nd 2009. The guest speaker that evening will be author Michele Guinness...
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Caspian tops UK box office
On its first weekend The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian topped the UK cinema box-office, beating off competition from Wanted, The Incredible Hulk and the latest Indiana Jones movie, according to Screen International...
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Word of Promise - Book of the Year 2008
On 13th July in Orlando, ECPA announced that The Word of Promise™ New Testament Audio Bible from Thomas Nelson had won the ‘Christian Book of the Year Award’ for 2008.
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The Shack hits 2 million
The No.1 New York Times bestseller The Shack reached another exciting milestone in July when it achieved two million copies in print...
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New event management for CBC
The Directors of the Christian Booksellers Convention (CBC) announced last month that Christian Resources Exhibitions(CRE), operating under the ownership of Bible Society Trading Ltd., have been appointed to manage the 2009 event at the Telford International Centre (2nd-4th March)...
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20,000 Bibles for India
Customers of Wesley Owen Books and Music and Crown Books nationwide have contributed a staggering 20,000 Bibles to a Bibles for India collection...
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USA Today features The Shack controversy
It’s not often that USA Today features an article about a Christian book, much less a Christian fiction title by a first time author. But that is exactly what has happened recently...
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Yancey’s ‘Prayer’ wins second UK award
A former heroin addict, an American pastor and a British youth specialist were all crowned winners at the seventh annual UK Christian Book Awards, which were voted by the public...
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SSG Shops pulled from auction
The four shops SSG Bookshops due to be auctioned by Colliers CRE in London on 13th May were withdrawn from the sale a week before...
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Strong interest in CBC 2009 Exhibition
Plans for CBC 2009 are well underway and, according to Norman Nibloe, there is already high demand for exhibition space with many regular exhibitors already committing to the event...
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The Shack causes a stir
A new book by a first-time author, from a new publisher, has taken the Christian publishing industry by surprise...
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The Christian marketplace in... Jamaica
In every country there are unique challenges facing the Christian book trade. But few have opportunities comparable to that of Jamaica – where even gunmen and gangland leaders see the value of owning a Bible...
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Robust response from Brewer re SSG Bookshops turmoil
Responding to a request from Christian Marketplace for information regarding the status of a number of shops within the SSG (former SPCK) Bookshop chain, Mark Brewer, Chairman of the St Stephen the Great Charitable Trust (SSGCT) which took over the chain of 23 bookshops in October 2006, gave a robust response...
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K to C for Kingsway books
A recent re-branding exercise has seen the Kingsway ‘K’ replaced by the David C Cook ‘C’ on all Kingsway books.
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Bibles for India
Wesley Owen shops around the country have been promoting a campaign entitled ‘Bibles for India’ with encouraging results.
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New representation for CFP in USA and UK
Christian Focus Publications (CFP) announced last month they had established new sales representation arrangements for the USA Christian Market and the General Market in the UK.
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Welcome Paul
The new drummer for hitmaking Christian rock band Delirious? is to be Paul Evans...
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Bible study for exam ‘survival’
As we move into the exam season a biblical addition to the ‘exam survival kit’ comes in the form of this set of Bible notes from the Good Book Company.
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Quieter month at SSG? - No
Following the frenetic amount of activity in February surrounding the SSG Bookshop chain with shop closures, staff dismissals and shops ‘temporarily’ closed for re-fit, it began to appear that things had quietened down in the last couple of weeks.
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Compassionart session at Abbey Road
Following the songwriters retreat in January, called by Martin Smith from Delirious?, twelve songs written at the retreat were recorded in one week in February at the famous EMI Abbey Road studios.
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NIV in Sunday Telegraph
Palm Sunday saw the Sunday Telegraph included a giveaway sampler of the re-launched NIV, published by Hodder & Stoughton.
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The Dawkins Letters - best response
David Robertson's book The Dawkins Letters has been identified as the best response to The God Delusion by the official Richard Dawkins website.
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Lambeth book launched at Synod
The Archbishop of Canterbury took time out from General Synod to attend the launch of the special Lambeth Conference edition of Richard Burridge’s commentary on John’s gospel.
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Book Aid achieves 2007 target
Book Aid announced last month that they had reached their 2007 target for shipment.
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Wesley Owen for Lambeth
Wesley Owen has been chosen to run the Official Bookshop at the Lambeth Conference 2008
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Moloney and Metcalfe move on
Two senior editorial appointments within Christian publishing were announced last month
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Bleak month for SSG Staff and customers
Further developments at the SSG (former SPCK) bookshop chain have led to closures. During the first week of February the Cambridge, Sheffield, Norwich and Lincoln branches were closed.
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SSG makes The Bookseller “flops” list for 2007
Writing in the 21/28 December issue of The Bookseller, the editor’s Leader column lists...
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UK CBA 2008 shortlist announced
The shortlist for the 2008 UK Christian Book Awards, now in their seventh year, was announced last month...
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Eddie Izzard to voice Reepicheep
NarniaWeb has reported that the voice of Reepicheep in the forthcoming second film in the Chronicles of Narnia series...
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Christian titles for Kindle
Christian publishers have responded quickly to the unveiling of the book world’s latest answer to the iPod.
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Chinese Christian bookshop owner arrested
Reports emerging from China highlight growing concerns regarding the situation for Christians...
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Spring Harvest and ICC discuss merger
Spring Harvest and ICC have announced they are in discussions with a view to merging...
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New CEO named at Zondervan
It was announced in December that Maureen “Moe” Girkins has been appointed as President and CEO of Zondervan with effect from 2nd January 2008.
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50 Millionth Bible rolls off presses in China
An article in the Times Online reports that the Bible is fast becoming one of the best selling books in the country.
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VeggieTales Pirates hit the big screen
The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything - A VeggieTales Movie is set to hit the cinema screens in the USA on January 11th
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Cliff narrates 50 favourite Bible stories
This year sees the celebration of Cliff Richard’s 50th anniversary in show business.
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Significant gathering of songwriters to aid the poorest
Probably the most significant gathering of contemporary Christian songwriters will take place in Perthshire in Scotland from 7th-11th January
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More resignations at SSG bookshops
It was reported by The Bookseller.com (04.12) that staff at the Newcastle and Truro branches of SSG Bookshops have become the latest members of staff to resign from the business.
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CBC Awards shortlist announced
The awards shortlists for CBC 2008 were announced in December and reveal an interesting spread.
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The SSG saga goes on
It’s rapidly becoming the ‘Fawlty Towers’ of the Christian retail trade in the UK.
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SSG Bookshop in Leicester goes independent
The Leicester Diocese email news service reported last month that the former SPCK Bookshop in Bishop Street in Leicester was under new ownership from 1st November.
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Danby apologises - but reminds others of their responsibilities
At a meeting last month to introduce Graham Sopp, his new UK Chief Executive, to publishers, Keith Danby, IBS-STL’s Global Chief Executive, was questioned about the issue of protecting territorial rights.
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Bookshop marks 40th birthday
The Barbican Bookshop in Fossgate, York, now part of the Wesley Owen group, celebrated its 40th anniversary with a promotional sales day on November 3rd.
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CCL celebrate one million books published in China
A ceremony to celebrate the one millionth copy of books published in Mainland China...
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CBC 2008 bookings going well
Bookings for CBC 2008 are going well with over 80% of the exhibition space already booked
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An ‘historic event’ in Hong Kong
Marketsquare Asia, held in Hong Kong, 3rd – 5th September, was a successful and historic event, report ChristianTrade Association International (CTAI).
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A rapidly growing business
An article in The Sunday Telegraph (23rd September) by James Hall, made the bold statement that ‘Christian bookselling is a rapidly growing business’
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Sopp to head IBS-STL UK
Keith Danby, Global President and CEO of IBS-STL, announced in September that Graham Sopp had been appointed as Chief Executive of IBS-STL UK
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Gaza bookshop manager murdered
A shock wave went through the Christian community worldwide with the news that Rami Ayyad, the manager of the Bible Society bookshop in Gaza, had been murdered
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SPCK Bookshops staff resign
The SPCK Bookshops story continues with the news that all seven employees of the Exeter SPCK Bookshop have resigned in a row over new contracts.
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Concern rising over SPCK bookshops
A couple of months ago this magazine asked the question ‘Is it all bad at SPCK Bookshops?’ Well it seems it might be according to recent stories circulating in the trade.
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UK retailers get direct access to US products with STL D
STL Distribution (STL D) recently announced a new programme enabling retailers to access over 140,000 products held by STL D in their distribution centres in Carlisle and North America.
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From a home to a supermarket
Earlier this year, Janette Tait saw the fulfilment of a prophecy when Cinnamon opened for business in Newton Stewart.
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When did you last visit a Christian bookshop?
In a recent survey of Christianity readers the above question revealed some interesting results.
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Bookshop re-opens in Hull
Following our story of the closure of the only Christian bookshop in Hull (July 2007), when Wesley Owen pulled out of the town, we have received the good news that the bookshop has re-opened
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CTAI fill Advance breach in Canada
ChristianTrade Association International (CTAI) have stepped into the breach created by the cancellation of CBA’s ‘Advance’ show with the announcement of Marketsquare International: a World of Opportunity which will take place in Toronto, Canada from 24th-26th January 2008.
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Battle’s triumph over tragedy
A new autobiography gives an insight into the high-powered world of the music industry as told by music industry veteran Nick Battle.
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Not the usual footballer’s biography
This month sees the publication of the autobiography of one of the Premiership’s top players.
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New church and bookshop in Poole
The former St Osmund’s Church in Poole, closed in 2002, having been declared redundant under the “Pastoral Measures Act”, was re-opened as the Orthodox Church of Poole last month.
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A new future for Christian Research
Following approval by both their Boards of Trustees, Bible Society and the Christian Research Association have announced they are in talks with a view to merging.
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New look for Scripture Union Belfast
The SU Resource Centre and Bookshop has undergone major changes during the last 12 months.
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Major developments at Veritasse
Veritasse, the Christian Arts Company based in Witney, was founded eight years ago by Aidan Meller and in 2006 opened the Meller Gallery.
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