as I write this, I am 11 hours and 42 minutes into a 16-hour flight from L.A. to Melbourne. And, despite the cramped quarters and restless four hours of sleep I procured to meet my day—to be spent with my family and in-laws (and, hopefully, plentifully flowing forms of caffeine)—I am optimistic.

Optimistic about this trip, to spend time with my daughter and husband and his extended family in Australia. Optimistic about this fantastic, business and fashion info-packed issue of EB, and this magazine’s best-in-class position in this marketplace (as consistently rated by our readers). Optimistic about the optical retail landscape for independent ECPs, despite the complexities of doing business today.

And, thus, optimistic about the future.

After producing this special issue with our expert team here at EB, and learning more of what 2018 has in store for all of us, we see that there is much to be optimistic about. Starting on page 50 in our 2018 Economic Outlook feature, economics guru Brian Beaulieu cuts to the chase to help ECPs understand what 2018—and beyond—holds for their business. Spoiler: good things lie ahead.

And, beginning on page 46, a panel of trendspotting pros gives us the lowdown on the seven most game-changing, must-know consumer trends that will shape the retail landscape in 2018. Teaser: “Health and wellness is one of the few areas that will drive retail growth in 2018 and beyond—this is where U.S. shoppers are willing to spend,” says Wendy Liebmann of WSL Strategic Retail.

Also, for a serving of sparkling cheer, flip to page 40, where we celebrate the season’s on-trend specs with a heaping dose of layered-on sparkle and glitzy details.

We hope you enjoy the issue, and wish you a wonderful holiday season!

Erinn Morgan
Editor-in-Chief + Editorial Director
Eyecare Business