--- type: Article title: "Independent Retailers in 2026: Adapt and Thrive" description: "Independent retailers face a new playbook in 2026. The Socrates line: focus on building the new, not fighting the old. The plays that actually work this year." resource: https://amyfaychandler.com/weekly-retail-tidbits-230-january-2-2026/ tags: [weekly-retail-tidbits-230-january-2-2026] --- [Weekly Retail Tidbits](https://amyfaychandler.com/category/friday-retail-tidbits/) | [Embrace the Tools](https://amyfaychandler.com/category/friday-retail-tidbits/embrace-the-tools/) # How Independent Retailers Can Adapt and Thrive in 2026 — Weekly Retail Tidbits #230 By[AmyFay Chandler](https://wordpress-1600709-6279960.cloudwaysapps.com) January 2, 2026July 31, 2026 Originally published as Tidbit #230. Lightly edited for the blog. “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” — Socrates I was complimenting one of my future daughters-in-law on her makeup before Christmas. One thing led to another, and she did my makeup the next day. It was so fun. As a mother of three sons, this is unusual in my world. 😍 After picking up some new cosmetics and tools – brushes, sponges, the works – I’ve been experimenting. My husband asked if it’s just trial and error. Yup. (And yes, another trip to the store.) It’s not like I can measure the results – other than how it makes me feel. But that’s the exciting part: trying something new, experimenting, playing. Sound familiar? I’ve heard mixed reviews about your bottom lines in 2025 – some up, some holding steady, some down. But here’s the truth: nothing stays exactly the same. Everything changes. And with AI, the change feels bigger this time. If humans can take the easy way out, we do. We love comfort and easy. So what can you do? Luckily, we’re also really good at adapting. ### Think about What problem do you solve that no other business solves quite the same way? What do people need that AI can’t do? What makes it appealing to shop with you beyond your products? And here’s the flip side: How are you getting AI to help you share your business with the world? Try something new. Experiment. Play. 2026 is full of opportunities, but looking at things differently will likely be how you win this year. We reps feel the same way. 😊 This email is an example of the value I’m trying to bring you outside of just great products. And of course, our showroom. I hope you find the gorgeous displays inspiring – they take weeks and weeks to plan and put together, as I know you can relate. I can hardly wait to walk into suite 1000b on the 10th floor in building 2 by the round elevators this month! And I hope to see you there. We’ll be ready to serve you however we can. Thank you for the opportunity! Happy New Year! xoxo, ❤️AmyFay ## Tango Tidbits Can you name these Tango lines? 😍 (Some are obvious with the brand name… answers below!) How did you do? In order left to right starting at the top: Cobblestone Living, Lenny and Eva, EvaBelle Compendium, Faceplant Dreams, LINNEA ORI, Kei and Molly Textiles, Meghan Browne Style DreamWeaver, The Winding Road, Mary Lake-Thompson Drinks on Me, Waxing Poetic, True South Puzzles Update: Waxing Poetic has closed and is no longer operating. [Find remaining inventory at these independent retailers](https://amyfaychandler.com/waxing-poetic-where-to-buy/). [Shop Tango](https://www.tangoreps.com/order) ## a tidbit more Find my [free calculators](https://amyfay.netlify.app/) — Margin Calculator and more. Plug in your numbers, get your answer! ### Shop in Person at Tango Showroom We’re open Monday – Friday, 10:00 – 4:00 AmericasMart · Building 2, Floor 10, Suite 1000b (by the round elevators) Walk in anytime — or [email me](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c3a2aebaa5a2ba83a2aebaa5a2baa0aba2ada7afa6b1eda0acae) to schedule a visit! [tangoreps.com/shows](https://www.tangoreps.com/shows) “All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Happy New Year! ❤️AmyFay ## Your future’s so bright — you gotta wear shades! 😎 Market fun – July, 2025 😎 [Accents](https://www.accentsonsignal.com/) – Signal Mountain, TN 😎 [The Good Tree](https://www.thegoodtreetn.com/) – Franklin, TN AmyFay Chandler Consultative sales rep helping independent retailers build smarter, more intentional businesses. Representing [Tango](https://www.tangoreps.com/) brands to Tennessee and Kentucky retailers through [AmericasMart](https://www.americasmart.com/) Atlanta — and my own lines to retailers across the United States. ### Also from AmyFay Sweet Tree Jewelry — Handmade clay earrings in team colors, school colors, and everyday styles. Perfect add-on for any boutique. Caroline B Cook Books — The Virtue Series: beautiful children’s books that make mean