The Catholic Retailers Association is nearing its 10th annuversary of providing support and resources for Catholic Retail Stores.

In 1999 and 2000 Catholic booksellers met at the Annual Religious Booksellers Trade Exhibit (RBTE) in St. Charles, IL and discussed the benefits and possibilities of forming an association.

At the Religious Booksellers Trade Exhibit (RBTE) in St. Charles, IL on May 31, 2001, 40 Catholic booksellers met and gave their unanimous endorsement to the creation of the Association of Catholic Booksellers of the United States and Canada. Anne Simms, an independent consultant to booksellers and publishers, became director of the association.

In May 2008 the association changed its name to the Catholic Retailers Association to more accurately reflect the range of products they provided for their customers.