• If your catalogs and flyers are being sent to a clean list of your customers at a minimum of once per quarter, you can expect a response of a minimum of 2-5% response rate.
• When analyzing the success of promotions, we recommend that a variety of factors be compared.
  • General store sales: Sales should be checked two weeks prior to a direct mail drop date, two weeks into the promotion period, and again two weeks after the promotion has passed. Was there an increase?
  • Coupon return: This is where you can count a percentage of return. Per 1,000 mailed pieces, the average retailer should receive between 2-5% (or 20-50 coupons) redeemed.
• A truth to keep in mind; however, is that not all consumers will remember to use their coupons, or they were led into the store for a product or general sale that was advertised. That is why the best response to gage the success of a catalog is to watch your overall sales for a promotion period.

• Since the Munce Group only requires spring and Christmas catalogs each year, a common myth is that a retailer will have a successful marketing campaign as long as they keep up with those.
• The partial truth in that statement is that spring and Christmas are the only required catalogs. But, the intent behind those requirements should be expressed in detail.
• Spring and Christmas catalogs are the only required catalogs because they are the best sale seasons of the year and we want everyone to be sure and take advantage of the added foot traffic by marketing during that time. If you don’t, your competitors will be sure to take advantage of reaching your customers for you.
• Beyond the two required catalogs, we never want to mandate which promotions you purchase. The Munce Group understands that every retailer has a unique clientele, and must work with varying budgets. What we do want to encourage; however, is that every retailer would tailor our full array of catalogs, flyers, and other marketing services to his or her unique needs. Although using all 16 promotions each year produces amazing results, it is not the best option for smaller budgets and those with less staff to help prepare.
• But, the point remains that retailers start to see a true return on their catalog/flyer investments when they go beyond the required two catalogs, and participate in a minimum of four promotions each year. That is why we have shifted to a quarterly order cycle. Not only does this save time for both parties, but if one promotion is chosen from each quarter, even if it is with an inexpensive flyer, that four-per-year marketing rule will be met.

• Above the Treeline: Your participation in this data collection program allows the Munce Group, of which you are a member, to receive a higher level of support from product suppliers and vendors. The Munce Group has negotiated extremely discounted rates for members stores that choose to sign up for this service. “As independent retailers, there are business tools that we all need. We need a good P.O.S. system and a music listening device. We also need services such as a good CPA and occasionally even a lawyer. Above the Treeline is a helpful business management tool and an affordable solution to these needs. It is quick and easy to understand and is the most advanced system of its type in the book industry. Investigate Above the Treeline today to see if this business tool would be of major benefit to your business.” - Bob Munce
• Innovative Online Solutions: An effective marketing plan contains multiple channels of communication. In the new information age, this multi-faceted plan would be incomplete if it did not incorporate the most innovative and expansive of marketing vehicles—the Internet. The Munce Group has partnered with Innovative Inc. to bring you three effective online solutions to meet your Internet marketing needs
• Paymentech: Save money on all of your credit card transactions. The Munce Group has negotiated with Paymentech, the largest bankcard transaction processor specializing in the retail industry, to offer special pricing to our members. Whether you are already accepting credit cards or you are ready to begin, Paymentech can provide fast, efficient and cost-effective payment processing at a reduced rate
• LIBRIS: (League of Independent Book Retailer Insurance Services) The Munce Group has partnered with LIBRIS to offer Munce members comprehensive business insurance. LIBRIS is an insurance subsidiary of the American Booksellers Association. LIBRIS provides outstanding insurance value for its members while addressing the loss exposures unique to independent retailers
• Sale Stickers: Munce offers a wide selections of product sale stockers to enable you to get ready for your next big promotion. Sold in packs of 500, these 1” round sale stickers are removable, allowing you to re-use them for multiple promotions without damaging your product. Printed on fluorescent yellow stock with black type, these sale stickers will quickly grab your customers’ attention
• Merchandising Kits: Make a strong visual impact during promotions with our quality, cost-effective merchandising kits. Merchandising kits contain varying quantities of posters, shelf-talkers, table tents, season specific signage, end cap kits and assorted vendor supplied signage. The signage allows you to highlight advertised product and communicate a strong “Sale” message while creating an event
• Exclusive tradeshow: Christian Product Expo (CPE) is the Munce Group’s annual member tradeshow. In reality, CPE is much more than just a tradeshow. It is part tradeshow, part training and part annual meeting that guarantees to encourage, equip and engage attending retailers.
• Munce-talk: Munce Talk is an email-driven, community-building service of the Munce Group and is your virtual roundtable, connecting you with fellow Munce members on topics that are relevant and engaging. Share your thoughts about key industry issues. Learn from the creative solutions of others. Encourage and build up one another.
• MUNCe-news: The MUNCe-news, delivered bi-monthly to your email inbox, contains practical and informative content. Learn about current trends in the marketplace. Preview key dates in “Around the  Corner”. Get to know the Munce Group team and our supplier partners through spotlight profiles. Access archived editions of the MUNCe-news to find additional articles on topics that interest you.
• Members-only Retail Help Site: Access the Munce Group’s programs and services around the clock through our members-only website at    retailer.munce.com—your online retail resource. Take an in-depth look at upcoming catalogs. View upcoming catalog and flyer images and design. Download and order current catalogs, programs, and services. Stay informed on our members-only tradeshow, Christian Product Expo (CPE). Keep up to date on the latest developments with exclusive products and On-Hold Direct. Experience community through the MUNCe-news and Munce Talk.
• Church Supply: Connect and grow a working business relationship with your local churches by becoming their favored resource for church supplies, VBS and Sunday school materials, or choir robes!

• Contact your Munce Group service representative

• Top Seller reports give you the ability to quickly see what bestselling titles may be missing from your inventory. 
• You can compare your store’s data to other anonymous stores to gauge your strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. 
• Suppliers can provide you with title lists of hot-selling titles, seasonal recommendations, promotions, etc. 
• Category comparisons can evaluate a specific category’s performance over time and compare it to other anonymous stores. 
• Supplier Partnership programs (like a core-inventory program) can, with a retailer’s permission, allow a suppliers’ sales reps to see in-stocks and recommend orders to “fill in the gaps.” 
• Additional terms and discounts may also be available for retailers who participate in Supplier Partnership programs. 
• And finally, participating in a data collection program allows the Munce Group, of which you are a member, to receive a higher level of support from product suppliers and vendors. 

If we were to be honest about the most frequently asked questions, we must include the correct pronunciation of the company name “Munce Group”.
  •    Phonetically, “Munce” is correctly pronounced as [muhns]. (Rhymes with “hunts”)
  •    Most common mispronunciation: [Mun-see] As in Muncie, Indiana.