It’s the beginning of the year, and for independent retailers, knowing what consumers are buying is half the battle. In this episode of Rooted in Retail, Crystal Vilkaitis sits down with Anjarae Hamilton, Head of Retailer Sales and Account Management at FAIRE, to break down the highly anticipated 2026 Faire Forecast.

Anjarae reveals the four major data-backed trends shaping consumer behavior this year, all centered around the theme of "self-expression". From the rise of "Well-Read" retreats to the maximalism of "More is More," this conversation provides a roadmap for what to stock to stay relevant. Beyond the trends, Anjarae shares crucial strategies for staying profitable amidst economic uncertainty, the importance of agility in buying, and how FAIRE is leveraging AI to simplify the search process.

This episode is your ultimate guide to a successful year.

[2:19] Anjarae’s journey from small-town Tennessee to leading sales at FAIRE

[4:43] The 2026 Forecast theme: Investing in the truest self

[5:56] Trend 1: Well-Read—Why books and reading retreats are booming

[6:00] Trend 2: Fanfare—Preparing for the Olympics and World Cup watch parties 

[7:08] Trend 3: More is More—The return of maximalism and bold prints 

[8:50] Trend 4: Witching Hour—Magic, manifestation, and astrology

[14:53] How successful retailers are adjusting buying habits to stay profitable

[18:08] Using AI and Natural Language Search to find the perfect inventory 

[22:25] The "iTunes model" of wholesale: Testing consolidated shipping 

[23:44] FAIRE Direct: How to get commission-free orders with existing brand relationships 

[26:12] "Point of Slay": Saving time with POS integrations 

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