Every January, I take a step back and talk about trends in independent retail. But this year, I'm doing it differently.

Instead of a long list of what's "in" or "out," I'm sharing the six lenses I use to make sense of retail trends and decide what actually matters for a real, independent store.

In this episode, I look back at past trend conversations, explain how these six lenses emerged, and walk through real examples, like AI and short-form video, to show how the same trend can be a yes for one store and a no for another.

If you're tired of chasing trends and want a steadier way to think about 2026, this episode is for you.

For show notes, including links to the documentary and resources I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode267

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website: Savvy Shopkeeper
Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper
Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

This episode is about traffic, but not tactics.

When store owners say they have a traffic problem, they're often reacting to low sales and reaching for visible fixes like ads, promotions, or new platforms. In this episode, I explain why that approach can get expensive, and why clarity has to come before action.

I share a real story from a group member who invested in visibility without enough context, introduce the idea of the visibility gap, and explain why I'm focusing an entire year on visibility inside Master Shopkeepers.

If traffic has felt unpredictable or frustrating, this episode will help you rethink where to start.

For show notes, including links to the documentary and resources I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode266

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website: Savvy Shopkeeper
Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper
Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

Fear rarely looks like fear. It shows up as hesitation, overthinking, or waiting for "the right time." And for many independent retailers, it quietly becomes the biggest barrier to profit.

In this episode, Kathy shares the true story of a high-revenue store owner whose business looked successful on the outside but struggled to profit behind the scenes. Together they uncovered the real issue holding her back. It wasn't her systems, her margins, or her traffic. It was fear shaping her decisions.

You'll hear how fear sneaks into pricing, hiring, buying, marketing, and even everyday leadership choices, along with the small, brave shifts that began turning everything around. This conversation will help you see where fear might be influencing your business too, and how courage creates more clarity, more momentum, and more profit in the year ahead.

For show notes, including links to anything I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode265

If today's conversation resonated with you, and you are already building the habits and systems that help your store run with more clarity and confidence, then you will feel right at home inside Master Shopkeepers.

It is the place where store owners are learning to use their data, strengthen their operations, and make decisions that support long term growth. It is not a library of quick tips. It is a community and a structure that helps you lead at a higher level without working harder.

If you are ready to step into that version of yourself, you can learn more about Master Shopkeepers here.

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website: Savvy Shopkeeper
Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper
Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers