The nation’s biggest Christian retail chain ends its brick-and-mortar operations.
LifeWay Christian Resources, the largest Christian retail chain in America, plans to close all 170 stores this year and shift its offerings entirely online.
“The decision to close our local stores is a difficult one,” said acting president and CEO Brad Waggoner, who is succeeding longtime LifeWay president Thom Rainer.
“LifeWay has developed close connections with the communities where our stores are located, and we have been honored to serve those communities. We will continue serving local congregations as they meet the spiritual needs of their neighbors.”
The Southern Baptist affiliate announced in January plans to reduce its locations this year due to declining sales and financial pressures, but ended up deciding it wasn’t viable to keep any stores open past 2019. Rainer said they did all they could to save the stores.
“Our retail strategy for the future will be a greater focus on digital channels, which are experiencing strong growth,” Waggoner said. “LifeWay is moving into a new era with a strategic digital focus that will prepare us for the future and allow us to better serve our customers.”
LifeWay’s closing of brick-and-mortar comes two years after its competitor, Family Christian Resources, closed all 240 locations in the midst of mounting debt and bankruptcy restructuring.
The chain will continue to sell resources on its website, LifeWay.com. More information about the store closings is available at LifeWay.com/StoreFAQs.
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