by Michelle Hespe The 2019 gia Global Honoree Futako Tamagawa Tsutaya Electrics from Japan is part of a new wave of retailers that understand that to survive in this industry, you can no longer simply sell products. This company has further raised the bar, creating an enticing society for its…
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Decidedly Danish
by Michelle Hespe When Bahne was established in 1965 in Denmark, they were already ahead of the game and vastly different from other retail outlets. The business was not just focused on offering customers a store filled with products that they could purchase, but rather, on creating an experience…
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Sculpting a Community
Above and beyond being a retailer, S-Kultur is a cooking school, a café/bar, an experience, a community and a homey place to indulge in some of the best things in life. by Michelle Hespe German gia winner and 2019 Global Honoree S-Kultur epitomizes the approach to retailing that stores…
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CHESS 2018 Recap: Reduce Motivation for More Tariffs
Presented by: Harry Moser Founder and president, Reshoring Initiative Sell More “Made in USA” Product to Reduce Motivation for More Tariffs Harry Moser discussed the increasing advantages of reshoring now driving U.S. retailers and manufacturers to bring back manufacturing to North America.…
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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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Global Retail Intelligence – July
July 15 – Spar International Plans to Enter KosovoWith the opening of three stores in Kosovo, three more by the end of 2019 and seven additional stores by 2020, Spar International confirmed that it will work alongside the newly established consortium of wholesale and resale partners in the…
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Social Influencers = Global Sales: 3 Key Things to Know
By: Dr. Patrick Lynch, Clinical Assistant Professor of Analytics and Leadership at Thunderbird School of Global Management “The brands and manufacturers have all the power!” exclaimed an Instagram social influencer during a recent interview. That may sound strange to leaders in most companies…
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June Currency Outlook
In their June 2019 Currency Outlook report, Tempus, an exchange rate and global payments company, provides a detailed report including the following topics and sections: In Brief The USD reached its strongest level in 2019, dwindling in the final day of MayAfter major swings, the USD rose by…
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IMO 2020 Will Impact Multiple Stakeholders
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has developed several mandates to reduce marine pollution. Effective January 1, 2020, container vessels will only be allowed to use fuel with a maximum sulfur content of 0.5%. The current regulation allows for fuel with a sulfur cap of 3.5%. The cost of…
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IHA Encourages Member Action on Latest Proposed Tariffs
With the most recent list of proposed tariffs affecting the housewares industry, the International Housewares Association is encouraging members to contact their congressional representatives or provide comment to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on the tariffs’ effect on their…
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Ocean Contract Negotiations Moving Forward
The 2019-20 ocean contract negotiations have officially begun for cargo moving from Asia to the United States. Based on the initial proposals from the ocean carriers, it is clear they are trying to capitalize on last year’s space crisis. Carriers stated earlier this year that shippers should expect…
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Stats: Specialty Cheese Market Expected to Grow
Although it is, ahem, ripe, the market for specialty cheese, while mature, is still expected to grow. Which is good news for those independent retailers who stock bries, blues and cheddars. According to the U.S. Food Market Outlook 2019, a report released by the market research firm Packaged…
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Trends: Consumers Love Snacks
According to the NPD Group’s most recent survey, consumers love snacks! And why not. They like tasty, rich snacks, according to the NPD Group’s “Future of Snacking” report, which says consumers “are giving themselves permission to enjoy indulgent snacks.” For retailers with cooking programs, the…
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CBD Products Emerge at Retail
While you still can’t order a CBD latte at Starbucks, the market for CBD (Cannabidiol) products is opening and already on the shelves of small retailers, as well as shown during the 2019 International Home + Housewares show last March. Cannabidiol is the non-THC part of the marijuana plant and…
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The Art of Organization
We speak to Sharon Tindell— President and Chief Merchandising Office at The Container Store — for an insider’s view of how this iconic 40-year-old retailer retains its coveted spot as the leading organizational store in the U.S. by Michelle Hespe People love to buy things. To own things.…
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Think About Drink: Beverage Trends in Retail
At the 2019 International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago, the Trending Today Preview features the specialty beverage movement– highlighting the various types of craft beverage trends, including coffee, beer, cocktails and water, along with specialty glassware and accessories, craft beer &…
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Cultivating Your Concept
We chat with Wolfgang Gruschwitz about how to create a successful concept retail store. by Michelle Hespe “What is your story?” That would be the first question that Wolfgang Gruschwitz would ask if you engaged his team to develop a successful retail store. Wolfgang is a consultant in the field of…
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