COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (May 16, 2008) – With outside contractors who handle registration for the upcoming International Christian Retail Show reporting that professional attendee pre-registration is currently running more than double what it was last year at the same number of weeks prior to the Show, CBA is cautiously optimistic about what the trend may mean for the upcoming International Christian Retail Show attendance in Orlando. CBA is also realistic, recognizing that the increases in pre-registration increases, which have been consistent for several weeks could taper off. “We fully recognize that the increases at this point in the process could be attributed to a number of factors,” said Bill Anderson, president of CBA, “but we are very encouraged that retailers are making their plans early to be at this year’s Show, which is the largest gathering in the world of people involved with Christian products.”
Registration numbers for retailers and distributors coming from outside the United States are also running well ahead of last year, with four times the number of International pre-registrants as last year at the same number of weeks prior to the Show, pointing to the fact that this is truly an international event where the industry meets.
Anderson says that he is fully aware of how challenging the times are not only for Christian retail, but for all retail, noting that rising gas prices, rising food costs, consumers pinched for time, and the mortgage crisis are all having their effect on retail across the board. “Even under such pressure, we are seeing that our retailers understand the value of investing in their business and this Show has proven year after year to be a wise and beneficial investment,” said Anderson. “Every year I hear story after story of the value of attending the International Christian Retail Show. People who are experiencing a plateau in their business, leaving them bewildered and uncertain about how to continue forward, tell me how God uses the inspiration, instruction, and valuable ideas gleaned from fellow retailers at the Show to give them a fresh sense of their calling. They go back to their stores determined to live out that calling.”
Anderson suggests it is more important now than ever for retailers to step away from the everyday environment of their business to get perspective and to be refreshed, reinvigorated, refocused and rekindled so they can return with new ideas and plans to move forward. “Seeing merchandising on the floor, and hearing what other retailers are doing in their stores, gives retailers practical ideas for best practices they can implement. One or two ideas can not only justify the trip, but turn a store around.”
According to Anderson, retailers come to the Show not only shopping for new products to meet their customers’ needs and differentiate their store, but they are also comparison shopping vendors because they realize it is now more important than ever to identify and give greater weight to those suppliers committed to Christian retail and to helping Christian retailers grow their business.
