December 23, 2019 It’s been over two decades since the founding of OneCoast, a sales, marketing and technology services company in the wholesale gift channel. OneCoast is, according to its website, “the largest and only national wholesale provider of gift, garden, home decor, and fragrance products to retailers throughout the United States.” John Keiser has been CEO of OneCoast since 2010, having joined the company in 2003 as vice president after many years with Enesco and American Greetings. He has also been a key player in the Gift and Home Trade Association – so it’s safe to say that he really knows our industry. Here are John’s words of wisdom regarding the future of independent stores: “Retailers that offer a desirable shopping experience will thrive. B2C and B2B business will grow. Retailers, vendors and sales agencies that provide an omnichannel approach to the business will thrive. Those that do not integrate the buying methods will struggle. Brands will continue to be more important. Service, expertise and adding value will thrive. Those that lack these components will not survive.” The three things which John believes will help independent retailers succeed in the coming decade are: harnessing the power of social media visual merchandising within the store creating an experience so that consumers want to come in the store, not have to come in the store As we close out 2019 and head into a new decade, I hope that the advice shared by industry leaders over the past few weeks helps you find greater success in the coming years. Happy 2020! Happy Retailing, Carol “Orange” Schroeder Please note that there will not be a Specialty Shop Retailing blog post on December 29. Caption: The grand opening of the OneCoast showroom expansion in Las Vegas. From left to right, Robert Maricich, CEO of IMC; Terrence Morris, Senior Director of Leasing, International Market Centers (IMC); Majda Rensberger, Executive Vice President, OneCoast; John Keiser, Chief Executive Officer, OneCoast ; and Dorothy Belshaw, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing and Digital Office, IMC.