Contact: Sally Ross (June 24, 2013) – As a means of celebrating success and encouraging continued effort, John Strifler, Marketing and Operations Coach for The Parable Group, said, “In the midst of the challenging economy, we celebrate that a number of stores have seen increases in sales. The Sales Growth Award is simply that—recognition for the franchise and partner stores that showed the most positive sales increase in 2012.” Sales Growth Awards went to Matt Mitzel owner of Rainbow Shop…A Parable Christian Store in Bismarck, North Dakota; Patti Franks and Leslie Farthing of Kihei Christian Bookstore in Kihei, Hawaii; Mitch Kastein and Aaron Kastein of Beacon of Hope in Springfield, Ohio; and Kevin and Jill Van Duyne of Joy Christian Bookstore in Wabash, Indiana. Honorable mention in this category went to Gary Hoffman owner of Rainbow Parable Christian Store in Colonial Heights, Virginia. In the category of Customer Service Excellence, The Parable Group honored two stores who consistently scored highest in customer service reports which reflect the whole customer shopping experience. “Customer opinion matters and these stores have served them well,” says Steve Adams, Franchise Operations Director for The Parable Group. The Customer Service Excellence Award went to Sam and Judy Walker, owners of Sonlight Books…A Parable Christian Store in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Honorable Mention in this category went to John and Deborah King owners of Heaven’s Attic…A Parable Christian Store in Rome, Georgia. Four stores were presented with Parable Industry Impact Awards for “renewing the hope” for all in the ministry of Christian retail, as reflected in The Parable Group store meeting and banquet theme verse, Hebrews 10:23. Award-winning stores invested in their future through relocating and expanding their stores. “We wanted to recognize their acts of faith as they hold unswervingly to the hope and their pursuit of doing good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers,” said Strifler. Parable Industry Impact Award recipients were Danny Vera of Christ Centered Life Store in Ft. Myers, Florida, who relocated and renamed his store; Frank and Marilyn Hood of Sweet Spirit…A Parable Christian Store in Marietta, Georgia, who relocated their store Deidre and Lorre Pagni of His Word in Sparks and Reno, Nevada who relocated two stores within two years; and Jim and Kathie Kregel of Kregel Parable Christian Stores who opened a P. Graham Dunn gallery store as an extension and expansion of their Grandville store in Michigan. The Parable Group congratulates all eleven stores on their excellence in Christian retail.
For over 25 years The Parable Group has helped independent stores buy, promote and sell products using data, technology and marketing expertise in the Christian market. The Parable Group is a leading retail services provider specializing in print and digital marketing for independent Christian stores, and delivering innovative, industry-leading marketing solutions connecting products and services to Christian consumers. For more information, contact Sally Ross (sally.ross@parable.com) or visit www.parablegroup.com. The Parable Group is based in San Luis Obispo, CA. |