Parable Provides New Inventory Technology

Goal is Better Selection and Higher Sales

Louisville, Kentucky, CBA Expo 2001— Parable Christian Stores can now receive localized Core Inventory reports from The Parable Group’s extensive data warehouse. These customized reports—generated every six weeks--help retailers identify popular items they aren’t stocking.

“American consumers are squeezed for time and will not tolerate shopping in stores with spotty inventories,” says Parable marketing VP Jim Seybert. With the new inventory reports, Parable member stores will be able to see at a glance which items their customers very likely would have bought if the product had been on the shelf.

Parable’s Core Inventory reports are based on its data warehouse which currently contains details from more than 64-million transactions at Parable member stores across the country. By comparing information on national and regional sales with each store’s actual sales, Parable stores can see a comprehensive list of books, music and other products the local store did not stock and probably should order. To make the process as simple as possible for buyers, the reports are divided by product category.

Parable’s Core Inventory reports are currently available electronically to stores with an IRT point-of-sale system. Parable is working closely with IBID, Bookstore Manager and R2I programmers to bring their systems on-line as soon as possible. In the near future, the Core Inventory reports will be delivered direct to each store’s POS computer, and will provide a suggested purchase order for the store’s use.

The Core Inventory reports are part of a massive update Parable has undertaken in its data collection department. In 2000, The Parable Group created an Information and Marketing Strategy (IMS) department to provide Parable member stores with a wide range of data marketing services. “It’s all part of our mission to help stores grow,” says Parable founder Steve Potratz, himself a retail store owner. “The future is bright for independent retailers who can take advantage of the amazing technologies available to them.”

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Parable Core Inventory, page two

Parable Christian Stores consists of more than 330 independently owned Christian retail outlets located in the U.S. and Canada. The Parable Group provides diverse marketing tools for its member stores such as e-commerce sites, in-store merchandising kits, exclusive products, weekly bestseller lists and catalogs. In 2000, Parable shipped more than 29.7 million catalogs, newspaper inserts, and other promotional mailings in 25 marketing campaigns.

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January 31, 2001