Family Christian Stores, Largest Christian Retailer, Closing All Stores after 'Two Very Difficult Years'

Leah Marieann Klett : Feb 28, 2017
Gospel Herald

"The retail landscape is changing, however, and despite improvements in our product assortment and our store experience, we have not (been) able to generate the sales necessary to sustain our business. We have fought hard because we deeply believe in our mission to help people find, grow, share and celebrate their faith in Jesus Christ." -Chuck Bengochea, President and CEO of Family Christian.

[Gospel Herald] Family Christian Stores, the world's largest retailer of Christian books, movies, and other merchandise, has announced it will shut down after 85 years in business, explaining that due to the "changing" retail landscape, it has not been able to "generate the sales necessary to sustain our business." (Photo: Family Christian Stores/via Gospel Herald)

"We have had two very difficult years, and after prayerfully looking at all possible options, and trusting God's plan for our organization, we have made the difficult decision to close our stores. Family Christian will begin the closing process soon," Chuck Bengochea, President and CEO of Family Christian, said in an email made available to the Gospel Herald.

The Michigan-based retailer filed for bankruptcy in 2015 and was sold for $55 million, announcing at the time its sales had fallen 29 percent since 2008.

"As with any worthwhile endeavor, there have been challenges and setbacks, as well as remarkable acts of service and self-sacrifice," said Bengochea. "The retail landscape is changing, however, and despite improvements in our product assortment and our store experience, we have not (been) able to generate the sales necessary to sustain our business. We have fought hard because we deeply believe in our mission to help people find, grow, share and celebrate their faith in Jesus Christ."

Family Christian is a nonprofit business that employs more than 3,000 people and operates more than 240 retail locations in 36 states, according to its website. Since it began in 1931, the organization has provided humanitarian aid for more than 14 million orphans, widows and oppressed people across...

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