FALL 2026
THE DEFINITIVE RESOURCE FOR INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLE RETAILERS
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2027 FASHION & HOME TRENDS FORECAST EASY WAYS TO IMPROVE THE INSTORE EXPERIENCE 7 WAYS TO ATTRACT MORE TRAFFIC
Fashion First Spring fashions boast bold colour choices pared with everyday neutrals
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contents
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VOL. 12/NO.04
43
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inStyle
DEPARTMENTS
FEATURES
8 Holiday Helpers Perfect last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers
34 Fashion & Home Style Forecast
10 Into the Garden Gifts and gadgets for green thumbs FEATURES
31 For the Kitchen
An inviting assortment of gifts for the gourmet food lover.
From the next hot hues to the most liveable trends for the home and wardrobe. By Natalie Hammer Noblitt
40 Thread Trends
Demin styles to stock for 2027 By Harley Tipton
43 Fashion First
Spring fashions boast bold colour choices. Pair them with everyday neutrals for wearable looks consumers will love.
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Fall 2026
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inSight DEPARTMENT
6 Hello! Smart Strategies for Holiday Foot Traffic and Spring Buying 22 Shop Profile Blending local artisan crafts with worldly discoveries, Luna Eclectic Emporium captivates tourists and residents alike in downtown Charlottetown, P.E.I. 46 Retail Visions Our resident merchandising expert, Nickeisha LewisMorrison, reveals six ways to improve the instore experience for customers next season. 48 Supplier Profile How Peace, Love & Sarcasm’s blunt greeting cards and saucy salts became retail hits.
inForm DEPARTMENT
FEATURE
28 Start the New Year on the Right Foot
Flower-shaped stoneware plate VIEW THIS ITEM ON PAGE 33
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THIS ISSUE
Level up your small business game by sticking to what works for you and saying goodbye to what doesn’t. By Sara Burks
12 News & Notes New lines, launches, industry goings-on and upcoming trade shows FEATURE
38 Traffic Builders
Seven ways to attract more customers to your store By Sara Burks
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GIFTS THAT HIT THE JACKPOT. Explore the largest selection of Furniture, Home Decor, and Gift on the West Coast.
JANUARY 24–28, 2027
inSight
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Hello
Smart Strategies for Holiday Foot Traffic and Spring Buying
B
alancing the immediate rush of Q4 with a long-term commercial vision is the ultimate test for independent retailers. As store owners finalize displays, prep staff and gear up for the peak holiday buying surge, the smartest operators are already keeping one eye fixed on what comes next. This issue delivers practical playbooks designed to maximize your fourth quarter while positioning your store for a profitable new year. In our retail strategy features, Sara Burks outlines high-impact steps to drive traffic straight from social media into your doors, alongside the essential operational “ins and outs” for 2027 — reminding us why tracking margins, setting boundaries and trusting hard data beat out exhausting industry noise every single time. We also turn an eye toward the future with forward-thinking trend and merchandising forecasts. Natalie Hammer Noblitt breaks down the runwayinspired colours, tactile textures and home design palettes set to dominate in 2027 from Luminous Blue to lively fringe accents. Complementing that aesthetic direction, Harley Tipton reveals the wearable, polished denim cuts replacing ultra-baggy silhouettes, while merchandising expert Nickeisha Lewis-Morrison shares six essential sensory refreshes—from directional track lighting to upbeat playlists—that will make your space feel revitalized for spring without requiring a costly overhaul. Our store and vendor profiles in this issue spotlight the tenacity and clever positioning driving independent retail forward. Jessica Harlan takes us inside Charlottetown’s Luna Eclectic Emporium, where founder Jennifer Ridgway shares how international inspiration, tight open-to-buy discipline and smart delegation have fueled over 20 years of success. Meanwhile, Newfoundland maker Deanne Squires of Peace, Love & Sarcasm proves that bold wit, authentic impulse items and razor-sharp wholesale boundaries build genuine loyalty and high-volume reorders. As you navigate the busiest weeks on the calendar, remember to protect your time and energy. Run your shop with intention, hold your commercial boundaries and stay focused on building a resilient, profitable foundation for the year ahead.
THE DEFINITIVE RESOURCE FOR INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLE RETAILERS
Editor & Publisher Erica Kirkland ekirkland@instoremagazine.ca Art Director Gerry Wiebe Advertising Inquiries ekirkland@instoremagazine.ca 905-690-0492 Contributing Writers Sara Burks, Jessica Harlan, Nickeisha Lewis-Morrison, Natalie Hammer Noblitt, Harley Tipton Photographers Will Fournier, Castlerock Studios Stylist Sarah Fournier InStore Magazine™ was founded independently in 2014 by Erica Kirkland. The magazine is published four times a year and sent to 6000+ independent retailers in Canada selling giftware, home décor, fashion accessories and lifestyle items. © 2026 InStore Magazine™. The contents of this publication are the property of InStore Magazine Inc. Reproduction or use of the contents in whole or in part, for any reason, is strictly prohibited without the written consent of the copyright owner. The publisher is not responsible for product claims made by the companies mentioned herein. InStore Magazine™ 6191 Cadham Street Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3A3 Email: editorial@instoremagazine.ca 905-690-0492
All my best! Erica Kirkland, Publisher & Editor 6
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800.263.2311
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What We’re Loving
Holiday Helpers
Click on any item for direct access to these vendors and fresh inventory!
Perfect last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers
Mailable, 4”x 6” Canadian-themed jigsaw puzzles, $15 retail. Matching postcards available for $4 retail, Downtown Sketchers, www.downtownsketcher.com
Mistletoes feet treatment, $19 retail, Patchology, wholesale. rarebeautybrands.com
A 250-piece Canadian-made puzzle celebrating the joys of a Canadian winter, $28 retail, Villager Puzzles, villagerpuzzles.com
Holiday Treats cooling no-slip eye patches, $19 retail, Patchology, wholesale. rarebeautybrands.com
Nail file sets, $7 retail, Peace, Love & Sarcasm, www.peacelovesarcasm.ca
Candy Dish earrings from Santa Barbara Design Studio,
Strawberry-scented air freshener, $8 retail, Peace, Love & Sarcasm, www.peacelovesarcasm.ca
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Stud Love earrings from Santa Barbara Design Studio, $17 retail, Design Home Gift & Paper, 800-6639950, www.designhome.ca
$13.5 retail, Design Home Gift & Paper, 800-663-9950, www.designhome.ca
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Advertise WITH
BE SEEN WHERE IT MATTERS InStore Magazine is the trusted voice of Canada’s independent retail community — connecting boutique retailers across Canada with the products, brands and stories that move the industry forward. AFFORDABLE ADVERTISING With our transition to digital, advertising rates have dropped by the board while the content of the magazine grows even more robust. Click here to view our advertising rates and options! SPECIAL RATES FOR SMALL MAKERS InStore’s exclusive advertising program for new and small businesses is MORE AFFORDABLE NOW than ever before. These rates are not published on our website as they are only available to qualifying companies. Email publisher and editor Erica Kirkland directly for details at ekirkland@instoremagazine.ca
Retailers Love the Magazine 88% read regularly 87% are “loyal” readers 87% visit advertisers’ websites 61% purchase product featured
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SHOP
THIS PAGE!
inStock
What We’re Loving
Click on any item for direct access to these vendors and fresh inventory!
Into The Garden Gift and gadgets for green thumbs
Small Garden Style book from Penguin Random House, $29 retail, Design Home Gift & Paper, www.designhome.ca
Audrey’s Grow with Grace gardening apron,
$50 retail, Canfloyd, 800-263-3551, www.canfloyd.com
Daisy bird feeder from Nutcracker,
$14 retail, Candym Enterprises, 800-263-3551, www.candym.com
Thymes Eucalyptus Body Serum, $37 retail,
Design Home Gift & Paper, www.designhome.ca
Pair of magnetic bookmarks from Maylay, distributed by Good Wares, www.goodwares.ca
Antique metal bookmark
with a handpicked wild daisy encased in resin, $24 retail, From the Wild, www.fromthewildhandmade.ca
Flower-shaped ring
with handpicked Forget-meNots preserved under resin, $46 retail, From the Wild, www.fromthewildhandmade.ca
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Notebook from Maylay, distributed by Good Wares, www.goodwares.ca
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Inside Track
News & Notes
News & Notes IN THE NEWS
NY Now Unveils Reimagined Strategy for Winter 2027 Building on the momentum of the Summer 2026 edition, the Winter NY Now Show will feature an expanded mix of category leaders and emerging brands in a reimagined show floor designed to drive discovery. The market will showcase a simplified floor layout organized into three core destinations – Gift & Lifestyle, Home and Handmade – creating a more intuitive experience for buyers while increasing visibility for exhibitors. Recognizing that today’s retailers purchase across categories, styles and price points, the new format encourages attendees to explore the entire show, making it easier to discover new brands while providing exhibitors with broader exposure to qualified buyers. The Gift & Lifestyle section will be the largest and most diverse section on the floor with products ranging from fast-turning gift and novelty products, fragrance, candles, personal care, stationery and publishing to jewellery and fashion accessories. The expanded Home section will bring together the products that define how people live incorporating tabletop and housewares, decorative accessories, textiles, garden and area rugs. A hallmark of the Winter market will be the return of Handmade as one of the show’s three primary destinations, reaffirming a category that has long been central to the show’s identity. For decades, the show had been recognized as a leading destination for artisan makers and handcrafted products from around the world, and the renewed
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focus on Handmade underscores NY Now’s commitment to craftsmanship, makers and authentic design. This new division will be organized into two collections of Designer-Maker and Global Design, both of which will be curated by an external committee of designers, retailers and industry tastemakers resulting in an independent editorial viewpoint. The Winter Market will also welcome back the Greeting Card Association’s annual NOTED event, continuing a successful partnership that brings together greeting card publishers, artists and retailers from across the industry. Its return further strengthens the show’s position as a comprehensive wholesale marketplace where buyers can efficiently source across multiple product categories while participating in industry-leading events and programming. With a redesigned show, the return of Handmade, expanded agency representation and growing international participation, the Winter 2027 Market will continue NY Now’s evolution under its new ownership while delivering a more connected, discovery-driven sourcing experience for retailers and brands alike. NY Now’s Winter 2027 Market will take place January 31 to February 2, 2027, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, marking the first full show cycle under the leadership of Rockview Management Group. (nynow.com)
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CANADA’S HOME & GIFT SHOWROOMS
Inside Track
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News & Notes
News & Notes
The Inspired Home Show to be Held During AmericasMart Atlanta
Good Wares Celebrates One Year of Connecting Impact-Driven Brands
AndMore and the International Housewares Association (IHA) recently announced an eight-year partnership deal which sees The Inspired Home Show co-locating alongside the Winter Atlanta Market beginning January 2028. The move brings The Inspired Home Show into a permanent, cross-category marketplace model for the first time in its history, adding year-round showrooms to its tradeshow presence, and grows AmericasMart’s dedicated housewares and tabletop footprint tenfold. For more than 80 years, The Inspired Home Show has been one of the largest and most important tradeshows in its category, drawing more than 10,000 retailers and industry professionals and 1000 plus exhibitors annually as the housewares industry’s premier marketplace for product innovation. Shifting from a temporary-only tradeshow held every March in Chicago, the show will operate from dedicated neighbourhoods woven throughout AmericasMart’s campus, split evenly between showrooms and tradeshow space, and placed alongside the categories for buyers to cross-source. “This is the next chapter for our show that has always been about connection, bringing the industry together to discover products, build partnerships and grow businesses,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the International Housewares Association. “Atlanta gives us a platform to do that in a whole new way, together creating the biggest sourcing marketplace for the industry. We’re proud to build this next chapter with a partner who shares our commitment to the people who make this community so special.” The timing is central to the partnership’s value. The Winter Atlanta Market provides buyers with their first major sourcing trip of the calendar year and is where retailers set assortment and sourcing direction for the months ahead. With The Inspired Home Show’s national retailer base now part of the expanded market, buyers can build housewares and tabletop sourcing into their plans for the entire year from day one, rather than treating it as a separate trip on their calendar. The Inspired Home Show’s final Chicago show will take place March 9-11, 2027, ahead of its Atlanta debut at Winter Atlanta Market, January 11–16, 2028.
Good Wares Sales & Distribution, a woman-owned Canadian distributor, celebrated its first anniversary in September of helping emerging, impact-driven beauty, health and lifestyle brands scale into the Canadian retail market. Led by president Angela Wallace, Good Wares spent its first year building a distribution model designed around access, growth and curation — proving that an approachable alternative to traditional distribution can work for both brands and retailers. In its first 12 months, Good Wares has onboarded five plus purpose-driven brand partners and listed more than 150 SKUs into the Canadian market, secured a retail network which includes major pharmacy, premium natural health and specialty retail networks and established a Toronto warehouse and fulfillment operation that gives brands a single in-market partner for sales, logistics and retailer relationships. “We started Good Wares because we saw a gap: brands with real impact and real product quality were getting stuck in slow, opaque distribution relationships that didn’t serve their growth,” says Wallace. “One year in, we’ve proven that a distributor built on curation and relationships isn’t just nice to have — it’s a competitive advantage for the brands and retailers who work with us. Being 100% woman-owned isn’t incidental to how we operate — it shapes the partnerships we choose and the way we do business,” says Angela. “We’re proud that in year one, we’ve become a trusted bridge between quality brands and the Canadian retailers who want to offer their customers something meaningful.” Good Wares’ portfolio spans beauty, health and lifestyle categories, with brand partners chosen for their social and environmental impact alongside strong retail ready potential. Brands include Wylder, Groom, Maylay and Keep Leaf. Looking ahead, Good Wares is targeting $1 million in distribution sales in 2027, with plans to expand its brand roster, deepen retail partnerships and continue building out its Toronto-based fulfillment infrastructure. (www.goodwares.ca)
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Inside Track
News & Notes
SaltSpring Kitchen Opens Direct Wholesale Ordering Across Canada SaltSpring Kitchen has launched a new wholesale website giving retailers across Canada access to direct online ordering for its full wholesale line of small-batch jams, preserves and hot sauces. Buyers can now browse the catalogue, view wholesale pricing, place orders and reorder at any time at wholesale.saltspringkitchen.com. The company’s minimum opening order is $300 and delivery is included across Canada on orders over $1000. Orders usually ship within two to four business days “We wanted a direct relationship with the shops that carry us, so we can best support them and help each other grow,” says Melanie Mulherin, founder of SaltSpring Kitchen. “We have a team here dedicated to that, and I’m thrilled to share that my daughter has joined the company to support our partners.” Retailers can read the full SaltSpring Kitchen story, apply for a wholesale account and sign up for the new email club, The Inside Scoop, at wholesale.saltspringkitchen.com.
Danica Brands Acquires Rosanna Imports Danica Brands recently announced the acquisition of Rosanna Imports, a respected designer and supplier of premium gift, tabletop and lifestyle products. For over four decades, Rosanna has built a distinguished reputation for thoughtfully designed collections that celebrate life’s meaningful moments. Their products have become trusted offerings for specialty retailers, department stores and other retail and business partners. This acquisition will combine the strengths of both businesses as Danica expands its product portfolio while preserving the distinct Rosanna look that customers love. “Rosanna has earned an exceptional reputation for beautiful design, trusted partnerships and a customer-first approach that aligns perfectly with our own values,” said Sushil Arora, CEO of Danica. “We are honoured to welcome Rosanna into the Danica Brands family. Our commitment is to preserve what has made Rosanna successful while investing in its future. We look forward to supporting our customers, employees, suppliers and partners through a seamless transition and building on Rosanna’s legacy for many years to come.” “After many wonderful years building Rosanna, finding the right steward for the brand was incredibly important to me,” said Rosanna Bowles, founder of Rosanna. “I am confident that Danica shares our passion for design, quality and customer relationships. I know the Rosanna brand is in excellent hands, and I am excited to see it continue to grow under Sushil’s leadership.” Customers, suppliers and business partners can expect continuity throughout the transition. Rosanna will continue to operate as it does today, with its existing team and customer relationships remaining in place. (danicabrands.com)
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the
goods Caley Beth
As a certified organic skincare formulator, Caley Beth started her own skincare line called Caley-Beth. What began as a personal problem to solve post-shave irritation evolved into Shave Balm and After Shave Balm Bars which have won multiple awards. “Over time, my focus expanded, says Beth. “I’ve always cared deeply about what goes into products and what gets thrown away after. I knew everyday bodycare could be made differently, with intention and integrity. That commitment shaped our better-than-soap bars. Each one is carefully formulated to care for your skin in a way that feels simple, effective, and aligned with the values many of us share.” Most zero-waste bodycare asks you to compromise on lather, on results or on how your skin feels after. Caley-Beth bridges the gap between high-performance skincare and zero-waste sustainability. Every bar is intentionally formulated to deliver rich lather, real hydration and visible results without plastic packaging or harsh, stripping ingredients. The company’s Canadian-made formulas are crafted with natural, skin-loving ingredients that nourish deeply while respecting the planet. From hydrating body wash bars to salon-quality hair care and soothing shave and after-shave bars, each product is designed to outperform traditional soap and conventional everyday essentials. (caley-beth.com)
Paint Your Calm Canada Paint Your Calm Canada is a new Canadian wellness and creative brand founded in 2025 to offer mindful, paint-by-number kits designed to help people slow down, reflect and create calm while creating art. Lemon Aid, shown here, is the company’s bestselling print and was inspired by the idea of making something positive from life’s difficult moments. Lemon Aid encourages the painter to pause and reflect on how far they’ve come while creating something beautiful. The kit includes a numbered design printed on a cotton and canvas woven paper, 12 acrylic paint colours, two birch-handled brushes and a mindful reflection with a Spotify playlist to accompany the painting experience. Nicole, the founder of the company, designed the Calm Kit collections, which include over a dozen styles and retail for $37.23, to work as both a thoughtful gift and an accessible self-care experience. The company also offers bundles of paint-by-number kits with three different pieces of art, retailing from $49.99 to $59.99. (paintyourcalm.ca)
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Evil Llama Launches New Styles The greeting card company, Evil Llama & Friends, has launched new card designs alongside enamel pins and notepads just in time for last-minute holiday gifting or pre-planning spring assortments. The A2 greeting cards sell for $7 retail while the pins retail from $15 to $20 and the notepads are $10 each. (evilllamaandfriends.com)
A Magical Underland The Magical Underland Christmas Tree Tent is a Christmas tree on the outside and a magical hideout inside. Designed by a Canadian mom, these innovative six-foot indoor play tents transform from a year-round imaginative play space into a spectacular Christmas tree for the holiday season. The tree features 1950 lush Christmas tree tips and hundreds of warm and colourful LED lights. While inside, children have their own cozy hideaway complete with a voice-activated 3D infinity light that responds to sound and creates an immersive light experience. Two interchangeable toppers allow families to enjoy the tent throughout the year: use the whimsical circus-style topper for everyday play and then transform it into a Christmas tree for the holidays. Created to bring together play, imagination and the magic of Christmas, Magical Underland gives children something traditional Christmas trees can’t — a magical place inside the tree where they can play, read, dream and create holiday memories. (www.magicalunderland.com)
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inStore | Shopping Guide
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Shopping Guide
GOOD WARES
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inStore | Shopping Guide
®
Cocoa Crew
NUTCRACKER
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Shopping Guide
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Get Noticed in the Winter WITH
WINTER 2027 DEADLINES Submit Products: Nov 6 Reserve Ad: Nov 20 Submit Ad Material: Nov 27 Issue Posted: Jan 5 • • • •
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Fashion Jewellery Stationery Baby & Children’s GiftGuide
• • •
Personal care WITH Home Decor Entertaining Trends for spring and summer
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inSight
Shop Profile
ECLECTIC MARITIME GIFTING
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Vibrant Charlottetown Boutique Captivates Shoppers With Eclectic Treasures From Near and Far Blending local artisan crafts with worldly discoveries, Luna Eclectic Emporium captivates tourists and residents alike in downtown Charlottetown. Founder Jennifer Ridgway shares how globetrotting inspiration, smart delegation and an ever-changing product mix keep her bustling boutique vibrant after two decades. By Jessica Harlan
T
here is no shortage of gift shops in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, a destination that saw more than 1.8 million visitors last year. But one retailer, Luna Eclectic Emporium, earns the business of tourists and year-round residents by offering a well-curated source of unique products and brands, sourced from both local artisans as well as special makers around the globe. Owner Jennifer Ridgway has an adventurous spirit and uses her international travels not only to decompress from the stress of being a small business owner, but also to inspire her to create an unforgettable shopping experience. www.instoremagazine.ca
What makes your store unique?
I buy small quantities from dozens and dozens of different suppliers. I don’t just buy greeting cards from one place; I’ll buy them from 15 different places to get a cool mixture. For me, it’s the thrill of the hunt – of finding unique brands that might not have a huge line, but are really unique and different. It’s a lot more work, but when you call yourself Luna Eclectic Emporium, the name is something to live up to.
JUST THE STATS
How would you describe your store and its atmosphere?
Employees: Seven
People would describe the store as comfortable, vibrant, colourful and interesting. We tell lots of little stories
Store: Luna Eclectic Emporium Location: Charlottetown, P.E.I. Square Footage: 2000 Website: www.instagram.com/ lunaemporium
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inSight
Shop Profile
and the displays are ever-changing. Even if you’re local and come in every few weeks, you’ll see the windows and displays changed around. We always have good music playing and the staff are friendly and outgoing. P.E.I. has a reputation for being very friendly and we try upholding that reputation. What is your background and why did you get into retail?
I grew up on P.E.I., but traveled around a bit, even working as a sea kayak guide on the west coast of Canada. When I came back, I started my first business, Moonsnail Soapworks, a manufacturer of natural soaps, bath products, aromatherapy and pet products. I opened a store in 1996 to sell Moonsnail products and other locally made goods. There were a lot of things I wanted to sell but couldn’t because they weren’t locally manufactured, so in 2005 I started Luna Eclectic Emporium. Luna is a larger store with trendier products and carries clothing and footwear, handcrafted jewellery, home décor, and even Jellycat. To what do you attribute your success?
Being able to delegate stuff. Every retailer is going to get a little burnout. The more you can delegate, the more you can do other things in your life that feed you so you’re not opening the store every day after 30 years. I make sure this is a fun place to work so people stay for a long time and the ship stays on course. My job is just making sure the buying and the product mix are good. I buy in smaller amounts when I’m trying things out and go a little bigger when I know it’s more of a guaranteed thing. And I stay nimble so I always have something new and fresh. How do you promote your store and what are your most successful promotions or marketing mediums?
We don’t do much print advertising anymore. This is the first season I didn’t 24
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that I’m going to be here every day. But because I have a staff that shares my love for the store and its desire to succeed, I can handle it from afar if needed. Finally, how do you stay inspired?
advertise in the tourist handbooks. If they’re downtown, people are going to see us. We keep our web pages current with lots of fun stories and reels that hopefully get shared. I have as much content as possible to keep people engaged with the new things we get in and showcase the fun experience and the fun aspect of what we’re selling. At the moment, what are your biggest struggles or pain points?
Dealing with higher rents and costs that keep going up, and having to keep your margins a little higher to cover the overhead that’s gone up in the past five to 10 years. Sales have stayed the same or dropped, and you have to keep your margins up, which is tricky. It’s hard to convince people to pay for something that’s high quality and will last but might be a little more expensive than fast fashion. www.instoremagazine.ca
Do you have a favourite product line?
Pokoloko which sells fair trade stuff from Peru, like alpaca socks and organic cotton clothing. I first started selling their Turkish towels but have also gotten into some of the interesting natural fiber clothing and felted wool Christmas ornaments. It’s all fair-trade artisan crafts from other parts of the world brought to us by a Canadian company.
I keep myself motivated with creative things I do in my own life. Six years ago, I moved to the country and my husband and I started a flower farm. We have greenhouses where we grow 50 types of flowers from seed, and we provide bouquets to Moonsnail and a couple of other stores on P.E.I. The physical labour, putting my hands in the dirt and making the bouquets is fun and creative and it’s been fun to figure it all out. I also travel. I try to get away for a month in February or March. I’ll go to a place where I can imagine myself living, experiencing the world and staying off the main tourist routes. Living on a small island, I find that to leave and expand my horizons always gives me inspiration to bring back.
Looking back, what is the biggest lesson you have learned?
For me personally, it would be to make sure you’re fighting the burnout people get from doing something for a long time. I make sure to find the time and space to allow for creativity and I divest some of the everyday responsibilities for the store by giving my staff the agency to be able to deal with small problems. As a woman, people have an expectation inStore. Fall 2026
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Photography by Will Fournier Styling by Sarah Fournier
Fresh
Starts Practical playbooks and irresistible product assortments designed to maximize your fourth quarter while positioning your store for a profitable New Year.
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Start the New Year On the Right Foot Level Up Your Small Business with These Business Strategies
T
he New Year is almost here and there is no better time to level up your small business game. Trends come and go, but sticking to what works for you and saying goodbye to what doesn’t is the real key to success. So, here are the “ins” and “outs” for 2027. Let’s dive in!
WHAT’S IN? 1. SHOP SMARTER When you stay within your open-to-buy budget, you’re not just controlling your spending — you’re ensuring your inventory 28
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By Sara Burks serves your goals. In the New Year commit to no overbuying even if you just love it. Stick the categories and products that are sure sellers and provide great margins while introducing new items throughout the year to see what customers react to. In other words, shop smart, not more. 2. MAKIE DATA-BASED DECISIONS Most retailers rely on gut feelings when it comes to the correct product mix for their store. But digging into the data and finding out what lines and which suppliers sell the best and offer you the best margins is the way to win in retail.
From tracking what sells best to knowing which marketing channels perform, using data to guide your choices helps you maximize every dollar and every effort. 3. BUILD REAL PARTNERSHIPS Time and again store owners who work to collaborate with other small business owners to market events and promotions reap the rewards of more traffic plus a heightened sense of a small business community which consumers love. Consumers want to see small stores collaborating with each other to offer them the best product assortments and inSpire. inForm. inStore.
service. Authentic connections aren’t a trend that will go away because they have proven to be beneficial and impactful. 4. MAKE YOURSELF A PRIORITY Mental health stresses and burnout are no joke. Thousands of business owners suffer from stress-related illnesses because they don’t prioritize their physical and mental health. When you make the time and effort to ensure your body and brain are working the best they can your performance at work will be better. Whether it’s taking regular breaks, delegating tasks or saying no to things that don’t serve you, make yourself a priority. 5. EMBRACE AI Thousands of independent gift retailers have embraced AI using embedded tools in Excel to track line performance and uploading new products to AI platforms to see whether it’s a fit for their clientele. Besides these tasks, AI helps you complete tasks quicker rather than replacing them entirely. From automating email marketing to generating content ideas, AI tools www.instoremagazine.ca
free up your schedule so you can focus on what truly matters — growing your business.
think can leave you spinning your wheels. Take advice with a grain of salt and trust your vision.
6. STAY IN YOUR LANE You can’t be everything to everyone, and that’s okay. Lean into what makes your business unique. Your niche is your superpower.
3. OVERLOADING YOUR SCHEDULe Hustle culture isn’t cute anymore. Jam-packing your schedule leaves no room for creativity, growth or rest. Work smarter, not harder— and don’t be afraid to delegate.
7. AUTHENTICITY Customers can spot fake from a mile away. Authenticity in your messaging, interactions, and even in the products you sell builds trust—and trust leads to loyalty.
WHAT’S OUT 1. NOT TRACKING YOUR EXPENSES If you’re not tracking your sales, expenses, and KPIs, how do you know what’s working? Numbers don’t lie and ignoring them won’t help your bottom line. 2. LISTENING TO OTHER PEOPLE Your business, your rules. While feedback is great, constantly pivoting based on what others
4. IGNORING CUSTOMER FEEDBACK Your customers are your best resource for growth. Ignoring their feedback is a missed opportunity. In 2027, listen and adapt to meet their needs. Sara Burks is the Director of Partnerships and Education at The Boutique Hub. She has been in the boutique industry for over 20 years and has a master’s in business administration. At The Boutique Hub, she shares her practical knowledge of the boutique business with Hub members. On top of her boutique experience, Sara is a rodeo coach, started a jewelry brand, is a wife, and a mom of two girls. Follow (theboutiquehub). inStore. Fall 2026
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Photography by Will Fournier Styling by Sarah Fournier
For the
Kitchen An inviting selection of gifts and gadgets for the gourmet food lover
www.instoremagazine.ca
inStore. Fall 2026
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For the Kitchen
SHOP
THIS PAGE! Click on any item for direct access to these vendors and fresh inventory!
Curtis Stone cookbook from Penguin Random House, $35 retail, Design Home Gift & Paper, 800-663-9950, www.designhome.ca Pouch with 185 grams of Pecan Pretzel Caramel Brittle, $19.50 retail, Drop
Spinach and artichoke dip baker
from Mud Pie, $61.50 retail, Design Home Gift & Paper, 800-663-9950, www.designhome.ca
Caramel, www.dropcaramel.com
Northern Lights handmade Acacia wood serving board,
$64 retail, with handmade Northern Lights spreaders, $11 retail per spreader, Lynn & Liana Designs, lynnliana.com
Kettle Corn popcorn seasoning from Finch &
Fennel, $19 retail, Design Home Gift & Paper, 800-663-9950, www.designhome.ca
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Reusable bags
from Keep Leaf, distributed by Good Wares, www.goodwares.ca
Caramel sauces derived from a treasured family recipe handmade in Canada, $16 retail each, Drop Caramel, www.dropcaramel.com
inSpire. inForm. inStore.
SHOP
THIS PAGE! Click on any item for direct access to these vendors and fresh inventory!
Jam, mustard and pepper jelly
from Finch & Fennel, $19 to $22.50 retail each, Design Home Gift & Paper, 800-663-9950, www.designhome.ca
Small batches of herbs, spices and seasonings, $8 retail each, Twigs Gourmet, www.twigsgourmet.com
Flower-shaped stoneware plate from Hazel Mazel, $48.50 retail, Design Home Gift & Paper, 800-663-9950, www.designhome.ca
Ready-to-use chutneys and preserves made on SaltSpring Island, B.C., $13 retail each, SaltSpring Kitchen Co., wholesale.saltspringkitchen.com
www.instoremagazine.ca
Garden Market tea towels from Audrey’s, $33 retail for set of two, Canfloyd, 800-263-3551, www.canfloyd.com
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2027 Fashion & Home Style Forecast
From the Next Hot Hues to the Most Livable Trends By Natalie Hammer Noblitt
T
here’s often a disconnect from the catwalk to the sidewalk, but fashion’s biggest designers and the trends they launch do influence consumer purchasing. Not very many consumers do or can afford to invest in completely new wardrobes based on the latest runway looks each season. Neither do they splurge for a full-home makeover to keep up with the latest decor trends. But the newest looks, colours, styles, fabrics and silhouettes launched on fashion runways do inspire consumers to try something fresh and fun. Here 34
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we look at what the experts predict will take hold in fashion, colour and home decor next year. COLOUR ALWAYS COUNTS One of the first things people want to know about in the world of fashion is what colours will be trendy. The Pantone Color Institute, a company who keeps track of what’s hot and often predicts what sells before products hit the stores, expects natural, joyful colours will take hold for spring and summer 2027 – from classic blues to creamy yellows, optimistic pinks, naturally orange corals and bolder colours
like chartreuse-tinged green, tropical hot pink, high-impact reds and soothing lavenders. These colours encourage spontaneity and are designed to be modern and boundary-pushing in nature. Leatrice Eiseman, the longstanding executive director of the Pantone Color Institute and a world-renowned colour forecaster, says the above hues are about “Intertwining tradition and authenticity with playful and whimsical colour (in order) to build a lasting wardrobe while simultaneously introducing colours that spark and shine – allowing inSpire. inForm. inStore.
us to rediscover our sense of fun and letting go.” She went on to say that the “Colours from New York Fashion Weeks’ (NYFW) Spring/Summer 2027 [collections] encourage individual expression and continuous experimentation.” COLOURS TO STOCK Look for these Pantone-predicted colours to show up soon in everyday fashion and accessories: • Anise Flower • Princess Blue • Waterfall • Langostino • Chili Pepper www.instoremagazine.ca
• • • •
Rosy Future Dragon Fire Daiquiri Green Lavender Oil
NEUTRALS: • Antique White • Tarragon • Arrowwood • Blue Indigo • Dolphin TRENDY HUES COMPLIMENT CLASSIC COLOURS Eiseman told Women’s Wear Daily last month that she understands people are being more careful about
how they spend their money, and this new palette for 2027 is meant to complement classic colours shoppers may already have in their closets. “If you’ve had this cashmere sweater for 20 years in a seasonless shade, you still rely on it and you’re bringing it out because it’s in your closet, but that same staple looks different with the trending colours of any given season,” she said. “Manufacturers and designers are paying attention to the fact that even though you can have these wonderfully wild culinary colours that are going to attract attention, inStore. Fall 2026
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you must have those staples to lean on.” What to Stock: She recommends retailers stock both fashionable colours and classic, seasonless shades to keep customers coming back and feeling like they’re getting valuable pieces that last beyond today’s trends. TEXTURE TRANSITIONS Texture in fashion is making a major shift for spring and summer according to Abigail Hoagberg, head of trends and editorial for data firm Trendalytics. “Knitwear and luxury fabrications are undergoing a massive evolution, shifting away from heavy structures toward breezy, year-round textures,” Hoagberg said. “In womenswear, ultra-fluid, romantic dimensions dominate via sheer chiffons, delicate lace and organza. At the same time, menswear is adopting a heightened appetite for sensory luxury, leaning into featherweight gauges and strategic layering pieces.” COMFORT IN KEY Comfort is one key reason shoppers will love these lighter, flowing fabrics and textures, Hoagberg says. “Material development is prioritizing ease without sacrificing style, heavily leaning into lightweight denim, engineered natural fiber blends and fluid tailoring options. Linen blends and alternative soft-hand textiles are 36
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leading the charge for effortless silhouettes.” FRIDGE IN FULL EFFECT Fringe is texture that embraces the light and flowiness of current fashion trends. “After seasons dominated by ‘quiet luxury’ and pared-back basics, there is growing demand for clothing with character and a more expressive point of view,” says Hoagburg. “During NYFW SS27, designers proved that fringe is no longer reserved for music festivals. Elongated tassels and floor-sweeping strands bring movement and drama to otherwise static silhouettes, offering an easy way to add impact and texture. Expect to see fringe embellishing dresses, belts, jackets and pants.” One stunning look from Ralph Lauren’s most recent show was a shimmering navy-blue scoopneck dress completely covered in glistening sequin paillettes, accented by a long, fringed hem and worn over navy satin pants. Although monochromatic, the look used texture to make it a statement piece at the show. COLOUR OF THE YEAR: LUMINOUS BLUE Blue was on the mind of Kim Cupido, catwalk strategist for trend firm WGSN, who recently reported on his runway findings combined with the analytical data findings collected by the company. He and his colleagues call the colour of the year ‘Luminous Blue,’ which
influences both core pieces and occasion wear, he says. The retro tones of blue are calming and provide a nostalgic quality. SHAPES TO NOTE Other trends he saw taking shape include column dresses and pencil skirts, in what he called refined, versatile silhouettes. The colours are impactful and feature elevated materials, he added. Cupido thinks full and A-line skirts will remain popular with shoppers, but trending vibrant colours and textures seen on the runway will keep them feeling fresh. HOW TRENDS COME TOGETHER While it’s interesting to read about the elements behind current trends, how can retailers predict how they’ll play out with consumers? Looking to trend experts is key. Follow their reporting to see what pieces are selling through. Fashion experts like Cupido also provide insight on how these trending styles and colours will transition into fashion and products for everyday consumers. SELF-EXPRESSION IN FULL EFFECT Expect shoppers to go for more self-styled looks rather than rely on past norms. Cupido reports, “Building on rising momentum from catwalk to street-style, freestyle expression subverts prime inSpire. inForm. inStore.
FROM RUNWAY TO HOME DÉCOR suburban codes,” he said. Here are some key style trends to note:
Many interior designers also watch the runways and echo what’s happening in clothing in their designs. Here are the top trends to note for 2027:
COMFY KITSCH TO THE MAX “Kitsch nostalgia and home-comfort influences blend seamlessly with loungewear and interior-inspired aesthetics,” Cupido report. “Pastel colourways, dreamy florals and tactile materials are paired with offbeat styling, including graphic tees, pattern clashes and unexpected footwear. This maximalist narrative celebrates playful individuality and irreverence.”
SELF-EXPRESSION IN THE HOME Many designers are seeing a focus on individual self-expression as a key element in home decor for 2027.
CLASSIC PREP SCHOOL Preppy styles will also stay relevant, he said. Watch for classic prints, including polka dots, plaids and silk scarves. He finds these will be updated through subtle pattern-on-pattern layering. “The result is a polished yet effortless aesthetic that balances commercial longevity with offbeat, contemporary updates,” he said. BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY Bohemian looks and romance will also prevail with strong commercial appeal, he said. “Sheer slip dresses, lacy sets and fluid maxis are elevated by barely-there tonal prints, softfocus florals, and fine freckled textures,” Cupido said. “Subtle bohemian accents, including soft ruffles and vintage-archival nods, bring depth, while raw edges, asymmetric trim placements, and spliced constructions introduce a layer of considered, imperfect character.” www.instoremagazine.ca
MAXIMALISM IS IN Combining individual bold choices rather than going for austere or very coordinated looks is trending. The bold colours of fashion for next year will become the accents added into living spaces in coming seasons. TEXTURE IS THE HEART OF DESIGN LA-based furniture design firm Melaaura predicts that texture will take priority in home decorating. “Touch has become central. Tactility isn’t an afterthought anymore. It’s the heart of design in 2027 interior trends. Surfaces are meant to be felt, fabrics chosen for hand as much as sight, textures layered to invite exploration. Comfort and emotional depth are created not by what you see, but by what you can feel,” they recently reported. Meanwhile Melaaura predicts that linen, cotton blends, silk-like wools and textured velvets will all be popular. Curtains, upholstery, throws — they combine for sensory richness. Touch guides perception of comfort and luxury more than sight alone.” But the texture can’t be impractical. They must be compatible with everyday life so experts are predicting fabrics for the home will be breathable, easy to clean and durable DOMINATING PALETTES Pantone also weighs in on home decor color trends for 2027. While 2026 saw a gray shade as dominant, things are changing greatly, moving away from what many designers have dubbed “millennial gray.” While Eiseman says classic colours like gray will always be useful in décor, there’s also a growing desire to add more colours that tap into bolder senses and emotion, not just fill a need for calm. Pantone’s View Home + Interiors 2027 report includes seven palettes the company predicts will be used enthusiastically. They are: • Delight: This palette represents summer at its softest and celebrates life’s simple pleasures. • Allure: Inspired by glamorous Hollywood, this palette features a combination of hues that are dramatic and elegant. • Lucid: Blues and greens dominate, representing the quiet magic of cool imagination and daydreams with clarity and transparency. • Hush: Featuring light and muted tones that represent health, wellness and calm. • Honest: With warm and comforting browns, reds and oranges reminiscent of comfort foods and baked goods. • Grounded: Drawing inspiration from nature, with varietal earth tones. • Elation: Eclectic and contrasting hues in a vibrant and playful palette.
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Traffic Builders
I
n an era where online shopping is booming, attracting customers to your brick-and-mortar boutique is more important than ever. The good news? With the right strategies, you can turn foot traffic into a steady stream of loyal
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Seven Steps to Attract More Customers to Your Store By Sara Burks
customers who love shopping in person. Let’s dive into proven ways to boost traffic and sales in your store! 1. HOST IN-STORE EVENTS & EXPERIENCES Give customers a reason to visit
by hosting exclusive in-store events. Think sip-and-shops, styling workshops, trunk shows or influencer meet-and-greets. Creating a unique experience makes shopping more than just a transaction—it’s an event worth attending!
inSpire. inForm. inStore.
7.
2. OPTIMIZE YOUR STOREFRONT & SIGNAGE Your boutique’s exterior is the first impression — make it count! Use eye-catching window displays, clear signage and seasonal decorations to grab attention. A clean, inviting storefront increases the likelihood of walk-ins. 3. LEVERAGE LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS Partnering with other small businesses, like coffee shops, salons or fitness studios, can introduce your boutique to new audiences. Cross-promote each other through flyers, social media shoutouts or collaborative events. 4. USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO DRIVE FOOT TRAFFIC Encourage customers to visit your store by teasing new arrivals, hosting in-store-only giveaways or offering www.instoremagazine.ca
exclusive discounts for followers who visit in person. Instagram stories, TikTok and Facebook groups are powerful tools for real-time engagement. 5. OFFER LOCALIZED PROMOTIONS Give customers a reason to shop instore rather than online by offering in-person-only promotions. Loyalty programs, flash sales or discounts for showing a social media post can entice shoppers to visit. 6. IMPROVE YOUR GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE When potential customers search for boutiques near them, you want your store to show up! Keep your Google Business Profile updated with accurate hours, photos and positive customer reviews to improve local search rankings.
CREATE A WELCOMING CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE A great shopping experience leads to repeat visits. Ensure your team is well-trained in customer service, offer complimentary gift wrapping and create a welcoming atmosphere with good lighting, music and scent branding. Sara Burks is the Director of Partnerships and Education at The Boutique Hub. She has been in the boutique industry for over 20 years and has a master’s in business administration. At The Boutique Hub, she shares her practical knowledge of the boutique business with Hub members. On top of her boutique experience, Sara is a rodeo coach, started a jewelry brand, is a wife, and a mom of two girls. Follow The Boutique Hub on Instagram (theboutiquehub) or join the community at theboutiquehub. com for more content. inStore. Fall 2026
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Thread Trends
A
fter seasons of barrel legs, ultra-baggy fits and statementmaking denim, the latest denim trends are shifting toward styles that feel polished, wearable and a little unexpected. Think puddled flares, 40
inStore. Fall 2026
If You’re Stocking Jeans This Year, These are the Styles that are Selling By Harley Tipton
straight-leg silhouettes, interesting waistlines and statement cuffs that give classic denim a fresh update. For boutique owners, this doesn’t mean tossing everything you’ve been carrying and starting from scratch. Instead, it’s about knowing which denim trends are gaining
momentum and finding easy ways to introduce them into your assortment. So, what’s replacing the denim styles we’ve been seeing everywhere? Let’s break down the six jean trends to have on your radar. inSpire. inForm. inStore.
6 STYLES TO STOCK 1. NO-WAISTBAND JEANS Minimalist denim is getting a little more polished with the rise of no-waistband jeans. Without the traditional waistband and bulky top seam, these styles create a sleek, streamlined look that feels modern and elevated. Pair them with fitted tops, tucked-in tees or a structured blazer to show your customers an effortless, pulled-together outfit. 2. LOOSE STRAIGHT JEANS Straight-leg denim is getting a relaxed upgrade. Loose, straight jeans offer the classic shape customers already love, but with a little more room through the leg for that easy, undone feel. They’re the perfect middle ground for shoppers who aren’t ready to go ultra-wide but want something roomier than a traditional straight fit. 3. PUDDLE FLARES The puddle trend isn’t stopping at trousers. Puddle flares bring extra length and drama to denim, creating a slouchy look that pools slightly over shoes. They’re a fun option for fashion-forward customers who want their denim to make a statement without relying on a complicated outfit. 4. KICK FLARES A little flare can go a long way. Kick flares have a subtle widening www.instoremagazine.ca
at the hem that gives straight or cropped denim a playful update. They’re especially easy to style with sneakers, boots, or sandals, making them a versatile choice for customers who want to experiment with a new silhouette without going full bell-bottom. 5. WIDE CUFF JEANS Sometimes the hem deserves its own moment. Wide cuff jeans add a bold, structured finish to otherwise classic denim, giving customers an easy way to make a statement. Style them with a simple tee and sneakers for a casual look or dress them up with a blouse and heels — the cuff does plenty of the talking.
6. CIGARETTE JEANS The skinny jean’s sleeker cousin is making a comeback. Cigarette jeans feature a slim, straight silhouette that feels polished without being skin-tight. They’re an easy option for customers craving a more streamlined fit and pair beautifully with everything from ballet flats and loafers to ankle boots. Harley Tipton is a Wisconsin-based creative marketer, graphic designer, and brand storyteller who works for The Boutique Hub. For more information on the services The Boutique Hub provides independent gift retailers visit, theboutiquehub.com inStore. Fall 2026
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Photography by Will Fournier Styling by Sarah Fournier
Fashion First
Spring fashions boast bold colour choices pared with everyday neutrals
www.instoremagazine.ca
inStore. Fall 2026
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Fashion First
SHOP
THIS PAGE! Click on any item for direct access to these vendors and fresh inventory!
Puffy heart-shaped studs from Astral Brands, $29.99 retail, Design Home Gift & Paper, 800-663-9950, www.designhome.ca
Premium leather clutch
with cellphone compartment, Wacco Studio, wacco.ca
Stud Love earrings
Navy knit mesh sweater
from Charlie Paige, $79.99 retail, Design Home Gift & Paper, 800-663-9950, www.designhome.ca
Heart necklaces from Demdaco, $43 retail, Canfloyd, 800-263-3551, www.canfloyd.com
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from Santa Barbara Design Studio, $17 retail, Design Home Gift & Paper, 800-663-9950, www.designhome.ca
Moissanite open heart pendant necklace
in sterling silver, $217.24 retail, Created Forever, createdforever.com
Handcrafted leather ring keepers, available in six colours, $34 retail, Dherese Design Group, www.dherese.com
inSpire. inForm. inStore.
SHOP
THIS PAGE! Click on any item for direct access to these vendors and fresh inventory!
Handmade keyshaped necklace with a
Premium leather crossbody, Wacco Studio, wacco.ca
Canadian penny on a 20-inch stainless steel chain, $55 retail, Lost Things Artisan Jewelry, www.faire.com/ lostthingsartisanjewelry
Gold-plated baroque freshwater pearl and labradorite necklace, House of Jewellery, houseofjewellery.com
Cotton botanical-print peasant top
from Charlie Paige, $64.99 retail, Design Home Gift & Paper, 800-663-9950, www.designhome.ca
Special-edition handmade silver dime earrings for the 100th anniversary of the Bluenose, $60 retail, Lost Things Artisan Jewelry, www.faire.com/ lostthingsartisanjewelry
Charm bracelet from Astral Brands, $13.99 retail, Design Home Gift & Paper, 800-663-9950, www.designhome.ca www.instoremagazine.ca
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inSight
Retail Visions
6 Ways to Improve Your Instore Customer Experience This Spring By Nickeisha Lewis-Morrison
S
pring provides the perfect opportunity to make small changes which will have a big impact on your store. And by refreshing your store, we don’t mean covering every display in florals and pastel colours. Rather, think outside what your customers see and consider the entire instore experience from sound and scents and mood lighting and ambience.
HERE ARE SIX PLACES TO START. 1. REFRESH YOUR STORE PLAYLIST When customers enter your store, you want them to feel as though they’ve transitioned into a fresh, uplifting space. For spring, consider music that feels upbeat, fresh and energizing while still fitting your brand. One mistake retailers make is defaulting to whatever Top 40 playlist is popular without considering whether it suits their store or customer. Volume matters too. Start lower and create an approachable atmosphere where customers can comfortably browse and have a conversation. The goal isn’t for the music to demand attention. It should add energy to the space without taking it over.
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2. INTRODUCE A SUBTLE SPRING SCENT Scent should work quietly in the background. Try lighter scents for spring, such as citrus, clean green notes, lavender, linen or subtle florals. Be especially careful with strong floral fragrances, which can quickly become overwhelming. A diffuser can help distribute fragrance throughout the space, but start lightly. You can always add more. 3. GIVE YOUR LIGHTING A SPRING CHECK-UP Lighting is one area I often see overlooked in retail stores. Bright, cool fluorescent lighting combined with lots of general overhead light can make a
inSpire. inForm. inStore.
inSight
Retail Visions
space feel cold or sterile. Where possible, combine natural light with comfortable ambient lighting and directional lighting. Track lights can be aimed toward your new spring merchandise, feature tables or window displays, helping draw the customer’s eye toward the areas you want them to notice. And don’t forget the basics: walk through the store and replace any burnt-out bulbs. 4. REFRESH THE CUSTOMER WELCOME EXPERIENCE The people working in your store are part of the experience too. A warm greeting can set the tone as soon as someone walks in. Staff should be approachable, pleasant to interact with and available when customers need help without making them feel watched while they shop. Make sure your team also knows what’s new for spring. Sharing a new arrival or offering an insightful recommendation can help customers discover something they might otherwise have walked past. 5. CREATE NEW SPRING DISCOVERIES Give customers something different to discover, even if much of your inventory hasn’t changed. Refresh displays, move bestsellers into unexpected locations and use cross-merchandising to introduce combinations customers may not have considered. A clothing store might add accessories that complete a spring outfit. A lifestyle shop could pair a scarf with a fragrance or mug to create an easy gifting idea. Swap heavier winter signage for something lighter and brighter, and refresh your windows regularly. Your regular customers aren’t the only people seeing them—your window may be a passerby’s first introduction to your store. 6. CREATE SOME COMMUNITY THIS SPRING Give people another reason to walk through your doors. That could mean a workshop, customer
www.instoremagazine.ca
appreciation event, product sampling or something as simple as bringing in a cute coffee cart for a morning. If you know your customers love coffee, imagine them grabbing a cup and lingering while they browse your latest arrivals. The activity doesn’t need to be elaborate. It should make sense for your customer, your brand and what your local community enjoys during the season. In closing, a spring refresh isn’t necessarily about changing your entire store. Sometimes it’s the playlist, a newly merchandised table, warmer lighting or a small Saturday event that makes a familiar space feel new again. Focus less on making your store look like spring and more on making it feel like somewhere your customers want to spend time this spring. Nickeisha Lewis-Morrison is the founder of Nola Designs, a retail interior design firm based out of Kitchener, Ont. Nickeisha and her team focus on helping female-owned businesses take their retail stores to the next level. www.noladesigns.ca
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inSight
Supplier Profile
Peace, Love & Sarcasm Turns Unapologetic Wit Into Wholesale Gold How Blunt Greeting Cards and Saucy Epsom Salts Became Retail Hits By Jessica Harlan
U
napologetic greeting cards and gifts” is how Peace, Love & Sarcasm describes itself on social media. And honestly, no one needs to apologize for making a friend giggle when she receives a card with the message “True friends don’t judge each other. They judge other people together.” or a deliciously fragrant pack of Epsom salts with a label that reads “F*** off. I’m taking a bath.” These snarky sentiments come straight from the brain of Deanne Squires, who started the product line by designing cards while in bed recovering from COVID-19. She’d owned a successful candle company for more than 20 years and had just opened a shop to sell candles and other gifts. When Squires was back on her feet, and the world reopened after the pandemic, she tested the cards in her shop. They did so well she ended up closing the shop to focus on her burgeoning stationery business. 48
inStore. Fall 2026
Today, Peace, Love and Sarcasm sells stationery, pens, dog collar charms, air fresheners, note pads and, its newest introduction, nail files, with just over 500 accounts across Canada, with some in the U.S. Each product has a funny saying, bold graphics and bright colours. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BESTSELLING ITEMS? The Epsom salts are my biggest seller. I think it’s because it’s a different product. I’ve only ever seen one company that also sells Epsom salts with a saying on the bag. There are three to four that are top sellers and two of the best are “Soak Away That Sh*tty Day” and “F*** Off, I’m Taking a Bath.” HOW DO YOU ENSURE YOUR DIRECT-TOCONSUMER SALES DON’T INFRINGE ON YOUR WHOLESALE BUSINESS? I have a website but I don’t get a lot of online sales. I don’t promote
Deanne Squires
it, and I never run any sales, not even for Black Friday. It’s there because I need it for people to help find me. My pricing matches retail pricing so I don’t undercut retailers in any way. WHAT TYPE OF RETAILERS HAVE THE MOST SUCCESS WITH YOUR PRODUCTS? Mostly independent retailers and gift stores. Some of the stores that carry my products also have clothing and giftware and inSpire. inForm. inStore.
inSight
Supplier Profile jewellery. Those that encompass a variety of different products seem to do the best and are the customers I have the most reorders from. I sell quite a bit of the Epsom salts to spas. I recently introduced the nail files and those are being picked up by the independent stores, but the spas and nail places are gravitating towards them too. WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR STORE OWNERS WHO SELL YOUR PRODUCTS? When I had a shop, I found that having the cards next to the cash wrap worked well. People are looking at the cards as they’re checking out and having smaller items at the cash or next to the cash helps increase sales. For the Epsom salts, some retailers only order two to three kinds, and some order all of them. The ones that do a bigger display seem to do better with it. It’s more eye catching when it’s arranged in the colours of the rainbow, and customers will gravitate towards it. When you have a decent display of my products, customers will be reading the cards or the salt packaging and laughing, and other customers in the store will come over to see what everyone’s laughing at. It draws people in. HOW DO YOU SUPPORT STORE OWNERS? I don’t offer displays but it’s an idea I’m working on. I provide them with pictures they can use online and I’m only an email www.instoremagazine.ca
away if they have a question or need a suggestion about which products to order. I don’t offer samples [of the Epsom salts] because once they sit out in the air, the scent dissipates quickly and it doesn’t smell as strong as when you first open the package. WHAT ARE YOUR MAJOR PAIN POINTS OR STRUGGLES AS A VENDOR RIGHT NOW? Sometimes it’s difficult getting supplies working and living in Newfoundland. If there’s bad weather, shipping is impacted both for getting goods on and off the island. The ferry could be tied up for days and everything’s backed up waiting to get across, and once it’s on the island, things are backed up trying to get everything delivered.
WHAT WOULD A STORE OWNER BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS? This is more than a hobby business to me, but I’m really just a one-woman show. I come up with the ideas, I design the packaging, I do the research and development, I source the products, I even pack the orders and update the website and my Faire listings. WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE FUTURE FOR YOUR BUSINESS? I’m working on a couple of ideas for new products. If everything goes as planned, I’m looking at a January or February release. One would fall into the bath and body category, the other would fall into the stationery category. inStore. Fall 2026
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