Christian retail is a hot market. Mainstream stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, and even grocery stores throughout the nation are profiting from the sale of Christian books, music, and DVDs.
Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, brings in annual sales from Christian merchandise in excess of $1 billion annually. It shouldn't come as a surprise from both a business and values based perspective. Wal-Mart's founder Sam Walton always wanted to reflect the values of his customers and uphold morality to support their local community.
With Wal-Mart, Target, and grocery stores such as Publix in the south selling Christian books and merchandise, consumers have more options. That means the some 8,000 small Christian retailers scattered across the U.S. can no longer charge obscene retail prices for wholesome God fearing merchandise. This is good for consumers. Furthermore where the big retailers like Wal-Mart and Target fail to have product depth, smaller retailers can provide additional attention to Christian customers seeking enriching spiritual materials and music.
Why are Christian self-help books and music flourishing across the country and getting the attention of major retailers?
1. People are spiritually hungry and not being sufficiently fed on Sundays at church.
Most people physically eat three meals a day. How then spiritually can we be expected to live on one small snack a week spiritually? Many churches don't allow for very long sermons any more. Pastors are afraid people will leave and therefore have shortened their messages. Many in the pulpit are trying to be entertaining and thereby have minimized their ability to equip and empower God's people.
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