tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108526847308797407.post5162030801710491013..comments2023-08-10T14:57:10.932+01:00Comments on STL Distribution: IBS-STL UK Trade CommunicationTrust Media Blog Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01084616784716797720noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108526847308797407.post-61637581404601516822010-03-05T11:40:17.034+00:002010-03-05T11:40:17.034+00:00Wonderful article, very well explained.
College T...Wonderful article, very well explained.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ghostpapers.com/" rel="nofollow">College Term Papers</a>Term Papershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02145417264678061367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108526847308797407.post-1424335413239445112009-12-01T17:03:45.347+00:002009-12-01T17:03:45.347+00:00How the mighty have fallen. I worked for several ...How the mighty have fallen. I worked for several years 99-04 in a christian bookstore which I also briefly managed. It was incredibly difficult to compete even when we were the only store for miles around. The usual response when we didn't have what a customer wanted was "I'll get it from Wesley Owen" (25 miles away) It was easy to believe that STL were the sole players in Christian retail in the UK. Indeed it is probaly impossible to run a Christian bookstore without having an account with STL. They have done a great job of bringing Christian retail into the 21st century but in doing so have had the "Tesco" effect in that many small 'ministry' stores have had to close. For one company to have such power in what has been a very niche hostile market, has in effect been damaging. In 2003 I visited STL, a invitation orginating from my protests at carriage charges (3.95 for a small jiffy bag by royal mail). Whilst we were treated with the utmost kindness, it was very clear that we were in fact up against rivals that we could never compete with. The carriage charge issue may sound absurd but it was crippling us in that we had to be very frugal with our orders. I am well out of the christian bookshop trade now and as such don't have an in-depth knowledge of current events. However I do wonder whether STL just simply grew too big for it's boots. Yes a much more profeessional bookshop industry has emerged but at what cost? If we step out of the will of the Lord and try to do too much too soon, then we are effectively running on empty and, just like the current government, it is a case of boom and bust. Perhaps a more evenly balanced Christian retail market will be beneficial in the long term. The challenges to get people to shop in their local bookstore are immense and whilst I am saddened by STL's problems, I can't help but feel that the Lord is trying to tell us all something.mrgrandpianohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12856857740479735453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108526847308797407.post-55609246438729711052009-11-18T16:40:03.085+00:002009-11-18T16:40:03.085+00:00I'm obviously very sorry to see the news that ...I'm obviously very sorry to see the news that IBS-STL is up for sale. AS someone who believes in its mission, and was very much a part of the work for 7+ years, my prayers & support are with you all at this difficult time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108526847308797407.post-11834697107834408612009-11-16T20:38:20.001+00:002009-11-16T20:38:20.001+00:00My response is over on the UKCBD Blog: A Modest P...My response is over on the UKCBD Blog: <a href="http://christianbookshopsblog.org.uk/2009/11/14/a-modest-proposal-to-save-stl-uk/" rel="nofollow"> A Modest Proposal to Save STL UK</a>. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com