Sick of posting amazing content that only gets 100 views? You can hope for a lucky break, or you can pay to guarantee the right customers see it. It’s about buying control over your audience. From the Rooted in Retail podcast 🎙️ #retailmarketing #socialmediastrategy #facebookads #smallbiztips #targetaudience #retailgrowth #marketingtips

In the final episode of Rooted in Retail for 2025, Crystal Vilkaitis, the Wolf of Main Street, looks back at the year and shares the most important strategies retailers should carry into 2026. From elevating in-store experiences to strengthening employee training, improving ads, mastering live selling, and embracing AI, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can start using right away to grow your retail business. Crystal breaks down what is working now, what is fading fast, and what every independent retailer should focus on to make 2026 the strongest year yet. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: 00:00 Introduction 00:55 Elevating In-Store Experiences 02:21 The Power of In-Person Events 05:29 Investing in Your Team 07:36 IndERA Commercial 09:04 Paid Social Ads Strategy 15:48 The Broadway Analogy for Ads 17:24 Live Selling Growth 19:20 Doing It Messy 21:26 Sponsor Commercial: Just Got to Have It 23:05 Bringing Curiosity to 2026 24:43 Embracing AI 26:10 Stop the "Spray and Pray" Social Strategy 32:03 Establishing a Marketing Budget 33:33 Stop Waiting for Perfection 36:24 Don't Do It Alone 38:31 What's In Store for 2026 41:26 Outro Links: Just2Have It - https://www.justgot2haveit.com/ This conversation is part of a special Pro-only coaching call, the type members usually access inside IndERA Pro. Want more deep-dive sessions like this? Use code HOLIDAY to save $503 on your yearly Pro membership. You’ll get instant access to every 2025 replay and can start saving the dates for all 2026 coaching calls! - Getting value from Rooted in Retail? Then you’ll love IndERA - the Independent Retailers Association, built from the same mission: to support, connect, and champion indie store owners. - Join for just $25/month or get found this holiday season when you join IndERA Pro to unlock access to your Get Listed done-for-you online listing management. Save $503 with the code HOLIDAY, and lock in that rate forever. JoinIndERA.com Get more traffic, more sales, and less stress. Our Facebook Ads Management service was built for independent retailers like you: https://www.indera.co/facebook-ads-management Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation - https://www.facebook.com/groups/rootedinretail Join our weekly newsletter at https://rootedinretail.com/newsletter/ Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch! https://www.bystadium.com/us/en/stores/rooted-in-retail-30474/S820473454

Feel like you can't compete with the big box stores? 🚢 Remember: They are giant ships that take forever to turn, but you are a speedboat that can pivot instantly to jump on new trends! From the Rooted in Retail podcast 🎙️ #retail #smallbusiness #adaptability #businesstips #independentretailer #entrepreneur #retailstrategy

Ready to strengthen your retail business for 2026? In this episode of Rooted in Retail, Crystal Vilkaitis breaks down Market Magic—a seven-part framework designed to help independent retailers stay profitable, visible, and unforgettable in a rapidly changing retail landscape. Whether you're wrapping up a busy holiday season or planning your 2026 strategy, Crystal shares practical, easy-to-implement ideas that boost brand presence, drive customer loyalty, and open new channels for growth. Discover how to improve adaptability, sharpen your branding, leverage customer data, create compelling offers that drive FOMO, and show up where your customers spend their time. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: 00:00 Introduction 01:20 Market magic #1: Be Adaptable 03:54 IndERA Commercial 05:29 Market magic #2: Mystery & Momentum 08:03 Market magic #3: Strong Branding 11:48 Market magic #4: Data-Driven Decisions 13:32 Market magic #5: Community Engagement 16:41 Sponsor Commercial: Just Got to Have It 18:19 Market magic #6: Omni-Channel 22:14 Market magic #7: Memorable Customer Experiences 24:38 Market Magic Recap 26:04 Outro Links: Lori's Episode - https://rootedinretail.com/episodes/leveraging-facebook-live-for-retail-success-with-lori-foster-of-the-dressing-room/ Miranda's Episode - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl7AXqEfYE8 Ari's Episode - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j_BerLyE0I CloudNine Pajamas - https://www.cloudninepajamas.com/?srsltid=AfmBOor7zKsMIq5AyuX473J8QP2bHeCJ9JZjvw_HMiOemStrO39NcqM4 Just2Have It - https://www.justgot2haveit.com/ This conversation is part of a special Pro-only coaching call, the type members usually access inside IndERA Pro. Want more deep-dive sessions like this? Use code HOLIDAY to save $503 on your yearly Pro membership. You’ll get instant access to every 2025 replay and can start saving the dates for all 2026 coaching calls! - Getting value from Rooted in Retail? Then you’ll love IndERA - the Independent Retailers Association, built from the same mission: to support, connect, and champion indie store owners. - Join for just $25/month or get found this holiday season when you join IndERA Pro to unlock access to your Get Listed done-for-you online listing management. Save $503 with the code HOLIDAY, and lock in that rate forever. JoinIndERA.com Get more traffic, more sales, and less stress. Our Facebook Ads Management service was built for independent retailers like you: https://www.indera.co/facebook-ads-management Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation - https://www.facebook.com/groups/rootedinretail Join our weekly newsletter at https://rootedinretail.com/newsletter/ Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch! https://www.bystadium.com/us/en/stores/rooted-in-retail-30474/S820473454

Tired of slashing prices just to make a sale? 📉 Try a "Gift with Purchase" strategy instead! Giving a unique add-on boosts value without cheapening your brand. From the Rooted in Retail podcast 🎙️ #retailtips #marketingstrategy #smallbiz #pricing #retailgrowth #giftwithpurchase

What makes customers return again and again not only to shop, but for the experience itself? In this special IndERA Pro coaching call, retail expert and Ari’s Pantry owner Ari Lowenstein breaks down his seven non-traditional product categories that increase engagement, encourage more frequent visits, and help retailers create stores people genuinely love to return to. Ari explains how these categories guide merchandising and content planning, why most retailers organize their products in ways that limit growth, and how rethinking your assortment can strengthen customer loyalty. He also shares the story of a major crisis that shut down his flagship store and the important lessons he learned about insurance, communication, and supporting hourly staff during unexpected disruptions. This coaching call is normally available only to IndERA Pro members. If you want access to more deep-dive trainings like this, you can use the code HOLIDAY to save on your yearly Pro membership, unlock every 2025 replay, and join all upcoming live calls in 2026. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: 00:00 Introduction 05:09 Dealing with Business Disruption 06:12 The Insurance Gap: Hourly Employees 14:11 Quick Intro About Ari's Business 15:40 7 Non-Traditional Retail Categories 17:47 The List 19:24 1.The Staples: The Foundation of Trust 20:49 2.Daily Dose: The Everyday Indulgence 23:47 3.The Good Neighbor: Feel-Good Choices, Made with Heart 28:53 IndERA Commercial 30:21 4.The Lab: Innovation on Display 32:31 5.Lap of Luxury: The Art of Refinement 39:56 6.Unexpected Treasure: Joy of Discovery 44:04 7.Funny Bone: Warm Heart 47:24 Q&A: Holiday Sales & Driving Traffic 52:52 Q&A: Maintaining Culture Across Stores 57:55 Training Staff with Social Media 01:02:37 How to Connect to Ari 01:03:34 Outro Links: Follow Ari’s Pantry - https://www.arispantry.com/ Follow Ari’s Pantry on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/arispantry/?hl=en This conversation is part of a special Pro-only coaching call, the type members usually access inside IndERA Pro. Want more deep-dive sessions like this? Use code HOLIDAY to save $503 on your yearly Pro membership. You’ll get instant access to every 2025 replay and can start saving the dates for all 2026 coaching calls! - Getting value from Rooted in Retail? Then you’ll love IndERA - the Independent Retailers Association, built from the same mission: to support, connect, and champion indie store owners. - Join for just $25/month or get found this holiday season when you join IndERA Pro to unlock access to your Get Listed done-for-you online listing management. Save $503 with the code HOLIDAY, and lock in that rate forever. JoinIndERA.com Get more traffic, more sales, and less stress. Our Facebook Ads Management service was built for independent retailers like you: https://www.indera.co/facebook-ads-management Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation - https://www.facebook.com/groups/rootedinretail Join our weekly newsletter at https://rootedinretail.com/newsletter/ Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch! https://www.bystadium.com/us/en/stores/rooted-in-retail-30474/S820473454

In this solo episode, Crystal Vilkaitis shares lessons from an exclusive Disney World event with 29 top retailers. From behind-the-scenes tours to fireworks-filled evenings, Crystal uncovers how Disney’s culture of consistency, creativity, and customer delight can transform your retail business. Learn how to bring “Disney magic” into your store through strong systems, attention to detail, and unforgettable experiences that turn shoppers into loyal fans. Plus, discover how to “plus” your ideas—Disney’s secret to constant innovation—and how feedback fuels continuous growth. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: 00:00 Introduction 01:02 Experiences during the Disney Event 02:40 Disney Takeaway #1: Attention to Detail 05:16 Disney Takeaway #2: Magic is created through Systems 08:16 Disney Takeaway #3: All About How Your Customers Feel 11:28 Disney Takeaway #4: "Plussing" 13:32 Disney Takeaway #5: The Sooner You Get Feedback, The Better 15:37 Are You Interested In Joining Our Group Next Time? - Getting value from Rooted in Retail? Then you’ll love IndERA - the Independent Retailers Association, built from the same mission: to support, connect, and champion indie store owners. - Join for just $25/month. - Or go Pro and save $503 on a yearly membership when you join using code FM503. Explore more at: indera.co Get more traffic, more sales, and less stress. Our Facebook Ads Management service was built for independent retailers like you. 👉 https://rootedinretail.com/ads-management/?utm_source=rryoutube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=rrservice Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation - https://www.facebook.com/groups/rootedinretail Join our weekly newsletter at https://rootedinretail.com/newsletter/ Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch! https://www.bystadium.com/us/en/stores/rooted-in-retail-30474/S820473454