LifeWay Books is closing its brick-and-mortar stores and going exclusively electronic. It's also cutting back on its publishing in print.
https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/march/lifeway-to-close-all-170-christian-stores.html
This somewhat supports what SBF has been saying as to modern WTS history—at least it's a common pattern. Bits: "due to declining sales and financial pressures"; "Our ... strategy for the future will be a greater focus on digital channels, which are experiencing strong growth"; "adjusting to this new reality".
One thing they only touch on is the loss of person-to-person contact. I'm reminded of the parallel in Witness preaching: just make an "electronic placement" instead of engaging a householder in a personal discussion. Is much of so-called "Christianity" going down this impersonal path? How unlike the biblical pattern!
