Aspiring Retail Testimonials

Retailers (independents, chains, and franchises), suppliers, and other industry professionals have embraced Aspiring Retail, lauding its rich content and cutting-edge information:

“…a strong step forward…”
I knew Aspiring Retail seemed like a strong step forward for CBA, but in the past few days while working on a consulting client project, I had occasion to carefully go through the first four issues in one sitting.

I just had to stop and take time to congratulate the CBA team for publishing this bold and strategic Christian-retail training resource. As a former CBA staffer I feel a deep personal connection with and passion for all that you do and I believe this new publication will prove to be one of the most practical and useful “iron-sharpening-iron” tools ever delivered to Christian retailers. To me it’s like receiving a college retail-management course every month. Thanks for not settling for just good, but persistently pursuing excellence.
—Gary Foster

“Give me a few minutes and I would have twice as many compliments.”
I just finished reading through the latest Aspiring Retail issue and I just wanted to send a quick note. This is the best issue I’ve ever seen-practical, inspiring, factual, methodical, easy to understand, hard hitting, addressing the core issues in order to keep CBA stores relevant-and that’s just what I can think of off the cuff. Give me a few minutes and I would have twice as many compliments. Keep up the great work.

Bill’s [Anderson] traffic-count item is right on, and Mike’s [Hockett] work continues to shine like a lighthouse on a dark moonless night. Way to go!
—Chris Leiter, For-All Bible Center (Joplin, MO)

“…a winner on so many levels.”
Tremendous! The new Aspiring Retail magazine is a winner on so many levels. The layout/design is clean and fresh. The articles are engaging and informative; the content seems to be more packed than ever with usable and useful insights.

I especially enjoy the surprisingly frank discussion between retailers and suppliers in the “Critical Issues Update” and round-table article. These round tables in print have a bite to them as they tackle concerns and barriers that many in the industry have had trouble addressing directly before. Great work and keep on!
—Jim Hauksey, DaySpring

“…exactly what’s needed…”
I wanted to affirm the direction I see in Aspiring Retail. The articles on cash flow, finance, merchandising, and care of staff are exactly what’s needed, and give strong, healthy direction for stores.

I also thought Bill’s column was on target. I believe his emphasis on being better retailers is just what’s needed. There’s so much good that’s happening.
—Les Dietzman, Berean Christian Stores

“I love the new magazine.”
What a terrific surprise I received when the new Aspiring Retail arrived on my desk. I love the new magazine. The Christian Booksellers Assoc. has made this magazine really work well for us.

My favorite part is the columns, especially the Marketing & Sales column. I thought the column on sales techniques was outstanding. Selling is too often looked at as something bad. Everything I sell has the power to improve someone’s life. I’m proud to actively find a way to meet someone’s needs.

The column on merchandising was terrific, too. These columns gave some very specific suggestions such as using open-ended questions and testing success that I’ll share with my staff and use to increase the effectiveness of my ministry.

As I look through the columns, I realize that many contain some gem that I’ll apply in our store: the importance of consistency, the specific information about reading financial statements, the challenge to prioritize the dreaded “special orders,” and especially the privilege of working in Christian retail.

I’m an aspiring retailer, and your magazine will help me, as Bill Anderson said, “have a will-try, can-do attitude.”
—Doug Church, Adventist Christian Book Center (Charlotte, NC)

“Well done, CBA.”
The new Aspiring Retail is a publication well done. How refreshing to read a magazine article without having to turn to the back pages searching for the rest of the article! Well done, CBA.
—Carolyn Albert, The Open Door Christian Bookstore (Gardiner, ME)

“…the best I’ve seen during my 18 years as a Christian bookstore owner.”
Your premier issue of Aspiring Retail is by far the best I’ve seen CBA put out during my 18 years as a Christian bookstore owner. The big difference I see is that it has a lot more material on identifying problems in our industry and our stores. But more importantly, it offers a lot more “meat” in it as far as suggestions on solutions for these problems from experts in their field.

Very frankly, I would look to other industry sources to get advice more than [the old] CBA Marketplace [magazine] because they would have more articles of that nature. Now I have a CBA source for that advice.

Also, the new magazine has a nice feel to it. The paper quality is nice as well as the appearance of the color and black and white pictures and print. The regular columns also will be encouraging.

I encourage you to follow what you did in this first issue, as I believe all your hard work over the last two years has really paid off!
—Peter Kiep, Interfaith Books & Gifts (Santa Rosa, CA)