An article by Piet Levy (@pietlevy) for Religion News Service (@ReligionNewsNow) says that “when the Borders bookstore chain — the nation’s second-largest — finishes closing all of its stores this month, Christian retailers see a window of opportunity in the death of a mega-competitor that once threatened to put them out of business.”
With 70% of Christian retailers reporting flat or declining sales last year, and overall sales dropping 3% according to the Christian retail association CBA, proactive Christian booksellers, marketing agencies, and the 1,200-member CBA are taking any opportunities they can.
After Borders announced its liquidation in July, Colorado Springs, Colo.-based CBA sent an alert to member stores: “Post Borders Growth Strategy: As Borders Shuts its Doors, Christian Booksellers Should Open Theirs Wider.”
The letter offers suggestions for retailers including discounts for customers with Borders loyalty cards and trying to lure former Borders customers into Christian stores.
Also see the article by Lynn Garrett (@LynniGarrett) in Publishers Weekly (@PublishersWkly), "After Years of Loss, Only the Strong Christian Stores Survive," and The Atlantic's (@TheAtlantic) article, "Is the Death of Borders Really Good for Independent Bookstores?".