It’s the end of the year, and trend forecasters are hard at work predicting what will pop and what will flop in 2026. But with so many opinions, what do those forecasts really mean for your business?
We’ve put together our own round up of some of the top themes we’ve spotted in retail sales and write ups from our favorite forecasters. With suggested products and linked title lists so you can get the look in your own store, it’s easier than ever to get ahead of the trends for 2026!
Art Deco
The art deco style of the 1920s and 30s is timeless. 100 years later, art deco is being revived in familiar geometric motifs, brass and chrome accents, and opulent Gatsby-esque parties. Our picks for this trend feature retro, eye-catching covers with foil accents that make their art deco-inspired designs pop off the shelf.
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Art Deco Playing Cards
The Annotated Great Gatsby
Viennese Bakery
David Kibbe’s Power of Style
Shop the Trend:
Nostalgic Nursery
New parents are looking to their own childhoods when picking out nursery decor for their little bundles of joy. Books and characters they grew up with like Mo Willems’ Pigeon or Richard Scarry’s Lowly Worm are a staple presence in the nostalgic nursery.
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Guess How Much I Love You
Corduroy’s Little Library
World of Eric Carle: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Baby Rattle Socks 2-Pack
Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go
Shop the Trend:
Children’s Classics
Richard Scarry Bestsellers & Out of Print Merch
Eric Carle Bestsellers & Out of Print Merch
Bookish
Being a reader has never been so stylish! This year saw a surge in both local and celebrity book clubs as burnt out scrollers turned to books for screen-free entertainment and education. Pinterest’s 2026 trend forecast predicted “poetcore” as an emerging aesthetic. This tracks with the continued influence of dark academia, #BookTok, and gothic literary classics like Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights making their way into modern cinemas.
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What I Read (Red) Mini Journal
Reading List Bookmark
Library Card (Natural) Tote Bag
Antiquarian Bookplates
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Book Club Essentials
Gifts for Book Lovers
#BookTok Favorites
Dark Academia Reads
Stationery
From journaling to pen pals, stationery is back in style as disillusionment with DMs, spam texts, and 24/7 communication grows. Analog writing moves at a slower pace, allowing space for creativity, reflection, and intention. Whether your customers are striking up a pen pal correspondence or looking to start a junk journal, stationery and paper ephemera are worth stocking up on for 2026.
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The Joie Journal
Sibley Birding Sticker Book
Postcards from the New Yorker
Bananya Ultimate Sticker Collection
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Journals
Postcards
Junk Journaling, Collage & Scrapbooking
Stickers from Out of Print
Adventure Travel
Experiences matter more than ever. For 2026, travelers are looking to wild spaces and underrated, off-the-grid locales for unique, personalized journeys that feed the soul. National parks reign supreme here, enjoying high demand after their record-breaking attendance year in 2024. For next year, stock up on travel journals, guides, and books to inspire your customers’ next adventure.
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My Travel Journal
The Traveler’s Atlas of the World
100 Dives of a Lifetime
National Geographic Ultimate Guide to the National Parks
Shop the Trend:
National Parks Collection
DK Travel
More Travel
Kidulting
Escapism takes the form of nostalgic play for the kidults among us. Screen-free tactile play, retro throwbacks, and childhood classics reimagined for grown-ups will continue to rise in popularity as kidults seek joy and comfort in familiar favorites. For this trend, stock up on coloring books, puzzles, and gifts that make your customers feel like a kid again.
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Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go: 1000-Piece Puzzle
The Retro Box
Arthur: Friends Tote Bag
Cozy Vibes
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Classic Childhood Nostalgia
That’s So 2000s
That’s So 1990s
Timeless Vintage
With budgets strained and a trend cycle going at breakneck speed, consumers are looking to the past for beauty that stands the test of time. Pinterest’s 2026 forecast called out lace as an elegant vintage touch we’ll be seeing more of in the coming year, pairing well with popular “coquette” aesthetics. With Emerald Fennel’s Wuthering Heights adaptation releasing in February 2026, it’s the perfect time to stock up on classic books and vintage-inspired gifts.
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A Jane Austen Tarot Deck
Pride and Prejudice (Deluxe Facsimile Edition)
Satisfaction
Wuthering Heights
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Victorian, Regency & More Vintage Vibes
Jane Austen Books & Gifts
Coquette
Handmade Charm
In an uncertain future, one thing is true: AI could never make the wobbly knit scarf you still cherish from your friend’s Covid crafting days. Like letter writing, handmade crafts offer a precious human touch in a world taken over by dropshippers and slop. Whether your customers are looking to make adorable bag charms, crochet their own grannycore wardrobe, or personalize their living space, craft books are a must-have for creative makers in 2026..
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Modern Calligraphy
Not Your Grandma’s Crochet
Dungeons & Dragons Crochet
Mini Amigurumi Woodland
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Craft & Creativity
Crochet, Knitting & More Needlecraft
Granny Squares
The Art of Cooking
Home cooking is predicted to rise in popularity as household dining budgets shrink. The right cookbook can make all the difference for new home cooks who are tired of wading through ads on recipe blogs. While everyone has their own tastes when it comes to food, cookbooks with illustrated covers are rising above the rest. Their artistic look means they have tons of display value as well as culinary wisdom, making them a hardworking 2-in-1 purchase for home decor enthusiasts looking to embrace their inner chefs.
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Table for Two
By Heart
Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking
The Official Stardew Valley Cookbook
Shop the Trend:
Bold, Graphic, Illustrated Cookbooks
External Sources for Further Reading:
Pinterest Predicts 2026
After School by Casey Lewis
Gifts & Decorative Accessories
