CBA Industry Blog

As We Approach Easter

Today is the first day of spring. Time to put winter behind us and look forward to warmer days, longer evenings, and, hopefully, some well-earned time away from work!

For me, spring is much more a time for personal (and professional) reflection and for making resolutions than the more traditional News Year’s Day. For us Christians, spring is a time of celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whose death on the cross saved us, giving us new life. And like the blossoms appearing on the trees, and the small green spikes of grass popping up between snow patches on our lawns, we’re alive and vibrant!

As we approach Good Friday tomorrow and Easter Sunday, please take time to reflect on the amazing gift Christ gave us when he died for our sins. By His death, He gave us life! Retailers: What can you do this year to share that overwhelming joy with those who walk through your doors? Suppliers: What can you do to spread the love of God within the Christian-retail industry, helping it grow and prosper, supporting the amazing ministries behind each storefront? Authors and artists: What can you do to share your God-given talents and influence more and affect even more lives with your message of hope and salvation?

God bless you this Easter season and throughout the year as you work to bring new life to those you encounter in your stores, at the office, at church, and wherever the Holy Spirit leads you.

The Appeal of Specialty Retail

The fact that you’re a specialty retailer puts you right in sync with current trends regarding the shopping habits of today’s consumers. “Small is the new big” is a phrase I’ve been hearing over and over again in relation to retail. Big boxes are just that…BIG. Too big. Too big and too cavernous and too impersonal.

Personally, the big-box “experience” leaves me cold…ice cold. From the uninspired aisles and aisles of random “stuff” to the rows of self-checkout lanes. I find that whole "experience" depressing. Consumers are trending toward destination shopping, stores that are more familiar, OK, I’ll say it: places “where everybody knows your name.” (Remember that catchy theme song from the popular TV show, “Cheers”?) In other words, the polar opposite of the big-box store.

So, what are you doing as a specialty retail store to entice this consumer, hungry for familiarity?

Welcome, We've Been Expecting You

Those of you who receive CBA’s monthly magazine, CBA Retailers+Resources, may know me as the Publications Manager (AKA editor in chief). You may also be familiar with my writing (and face) in the “From the Editor” column each month, usually located in the front section of the magazine. Believe me, putting my mug on that page each month was not my idea—although I enjoy writing the editorial immensely!

If you read my editorials, you may also be familiar with the fact that I happen to have two very precocious children (ages 7 and 9) who continue to teach me life lessons at the speed of light. Well, I’ve got another one to share with you.

Last night I took my son to church for a family night of prayer and fellowship. The elementary leaders started the evening by asking the children questions. This is always an anxious time for parents, as they see their kids’ hands shoot up in the air, their little bodies wiggling impatiently. What’s he/she going to say now in front of this large crowd with all their eyes focused on us?

So, the first question came. “Children, imagine Jesus just walked in the door right now,” all heads turned to the door. “What would you say to welcome Him into our gathering?”

I glanced at my son. No arm yet.

“I’d say, ‘Welcome,’” one little girl answered shyly.

“I’d say, ‘Welcome to our church,’” a little boy a few tables down responded.

No other hands...then it happened. I could literally see the light bulb above my son’s head flash bright. Up shot his hand.

“I’d say…,” he hesitated. “I’d say, ‘Welcome…we’ve been expecting you!’” A big grinned flashed across his face.

My son (not shy) reveled in the burst of applause, laughter, and approval. I couldn’t help but hug him on the spot. We’ve been expecting you…

Those of you who read my editorials know that I often tie these spontaneous insights into what’s going on in Christian retail. So, what if Jesus walked into your Christian-retail store right now? What would He see? What would you say to Him? Would it be “Welcome”? Or “Welcome to my store”? Or, would it be “Welcome, I’ve been expecting you”?

Every single time a customer walks into your store, you have the opportunity to share the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ with another soul. Every single time, Jesus Himself is present in that store. And every single time, you should be prepared to say, “Welcome, I’ve been expecting you.”

So, what are you doing to welcome your customers…and in doing so, welcoming our Savior, into your store?