International Product Preview Opportunities International trade publications want information and photos about the new products you will be displaying at the 2019 International Home + Housewares Show. This is a free editorial placement and a unique opportunity for you to reach international…
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2018 Global Honoree – Harrods
By Michelle Hespe Harrods needs no introduction, however, many people might not realize how progressive and innovative Harrods Home has become in recent years. No words are minced when it comes to the mission statement of Harrods. The iconic store’s goal is “to be the number one department…
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2018 gia Global Honoree – The Chopping Block
by Michelle Hespe We catch up with Shelley Young, Founder and CEO of one of the five 2018 gia Global Honorees, The Chopping Block of the USA. There are three major components to The Chopping Block, and although they sit under the same umbrella, they are like three separate businesses. There’s…
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CHESS 2018 Recap: How Brands Must Evolve to Thrive in the Digital Age
Presented by: Sucharita Kodali, vice president and principal analyst, e-business and channel strategy, Forrester Research Kodali studies retailers and brands in the rapidly evolving retail landscape. She offered proprietary Forrester Research data and insight about digital business strategy,…
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CHESS 2018 Recap: Trends Facing the Future of the U.S. Retail Landscape
Don Unser The NPD Group, Inc. Trends Shaping the Future of the U.S. Retail Landscape Don Unser prefaced his remarks by noting that he would present a trend outline with supporting data for the U.S. retail market, while at the same time some of these same concepts are playing out in other…
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Regulatory Update, Housewares Hot Seat Panel Announced For CHESS 2018
The most recent round of proposed tariffs on imports from China affecting $200 billion of goods and impacting the housewares industry for both finished product and raw materials may be imposed soon now that the public comment period is finished. In a just-added session for the 2018 Chief Housewares…
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2018 Global Forum Recap: Canadian Tire
Presented By: Doug Young Vice President, Merchandising – Living Division Canadian Tire Retail Doug Young, vice president of merchandising for Canadian Tire Retail, is responsible for merchandising and inventory management for the Living Division, which includes everything for inside the home…
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2018 Global Forum Recap: Wayfair/CastleGate
Presented by: Evangeline Wiles Head of Account Management, U.S. Suppliers Wayfair/CastleGate Europe Evangeline Wiles has held management roles at Wayfair/CastleGate Europe for more than two years. She leads the account management and customer acquisition teams, helping Wayfair's U.S. suppliers…
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Selling Products in the UK: An Update Provided by PR Direct
If you’re looking to sell your products into the UK, here’s an update on how the market operates – and how to capitalise on a consumer audience keen on innovation. PR Direct often hears from international brands how difficult the UK market is. Take heart! It’s not difficult just “different” –…
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Leana Salamah Named VP, Marketing at IHA
The International Housewares Association (IHA) announced today that Leana Salamah has joined the Association as vice president, marketing. Salamah has 20 years’ experience in marketing, including trade show, association and event marketing, and is replacing Derek Miller who became IHA president…
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Join the Relief Effort for Hurricane Victims
Victims of Hurricane Michael also will receive assistance from Good360, the charity the International Housewares Association has partnered with to provide hurricane victims with home goods products as they rebuild their lives and homes. Last month IHA announced its partnership with Good360 to help…
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Tariffs Impacting Supply Chains
The threat of tariffs from China are causing inventories in the US to spike. Shippers importing from China have been pulling holiday cargo ahead since June to avoid potential tariffs. The latest threat of a 25% tariff scheduled to be implemented January 1, 2019 has both shippers and warehouse…
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Low Chinese Shipping Rates Severely Undercut American Businesses
An international postal agreement has been tipping the scales in favor of Chinese merchants for decades, allowing the e-commerce market to continue to become the domain of the Chinese at the expense of U.S. companies and taxpayers. The USPS is part of an arcane arrangement with the Universal…
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Stats: Generation Z Gears Up
How does Generation Z stack up as future consumers? According to a recent Mintel report, Generation Z (ages 12-22) is likely to be health conscious, interested in cooking and craving international cuisine. You can thank their parents. Traits of this lifestyle group include: Influenced by…
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President Trump Issues Memorandum Ordering Level Playing Field for Terminal Dues Charges
On August 23, President Donald Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum addressing the issue of terminal dues, recognizing the damage they are doing to American business, offering a policy for reform and timeline for progress and recommendations if sufficient progress is not made by the deadline,…
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Home Smart Home
By Michelle Hespe Carley Knobloch knows a thing or two about smart homes: She’s consulted with HGTV on their annual HGTV Smart Home build for years, and is a regular tech contributor on the Today Show. Her home, a blend of California cool and high tech, was just featured in Good Housekeeping. To…
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Guide to Effective Retail Store Design
by Martin M. Pegler If RETAILING is your chosen path of livelihood, here are some simple guidelines you might like to consider when planning your retail store. 1. Let There Be Light! Without the proper light the merchandise cannot be seen or judged, colors cannot be appreciated, coordinates…
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Inspiring the Industry: Katrina Markoff
by Michelle Hespe Katrina Markoff is a highly-creative chocolatier and the founder of Vosges Haut-Chocolat, a Chicago-based chocolate maker that inspires people to open their minds and travel the world through chocolate. As is the case with most successful business ventures, there was a…
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