Presented by: Michael Dart, Partner, Consumer/Retail Practice, A.T. Kearney Retail specialist and visionary, Michael Dart advises retail and consumer companies on how best to navigate retail’s seismic shifts. He combines his economics and finance training from Oxford University and the Wharton…
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Peter Giannetti Joins International Housewares Association
Industry veteran will lead news, content and education efforts at the Association ROSEMONT, IL (Feb. 18, 2021) –The International Housewares Association announced today that Peter Giannetti will join the organization as Director, Editorial, Content and Education. In this role, Giannetti will oversee development and delivery of industry-wide content and resources intended to inform, educate and…
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Global Retail Intelligence – February
February 17 – Tesco Stores Renamed Across Southeast AsiaCP Group has renamed its Tesco stores across Southeast Asia to Lotus’s. The rebranding follows the USD 10.6 billion acquisition of Tesco’s Asian operations in Thailand and Malaysia in 2020. From Inside Retail February 15 – South Africa’s ShopRite Sees Profits GrowSouth Africa’s ShopRite Holdings announced that profits for the half-year…
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Biden Administration Workplace Rule Changes
One policy area that’s seeing a big shift in Washington, DC, involves workplace rules and regulations. The Biden Administration, along with the Democratic sweep of Georgia’s two Senate seats, will add impetus to legislative and regulatory labor law changes concerning overtime pay; what constitutes a joint-employer; the test to determine an independent contractor vs. an employee; union organizing;…
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IHSA Declares 2020 Refund
The surge in US imports over the last six months has been unprecedented and is causing problems in all facets of the supply chain. Carriers are telling importers to expect this highly volatile market to last through the 2021 Chinese New Year. A few carriers are suggesting this volatility will last through October 2021. Through all the volatility, the support of IHSA’s membership has been…
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U.S. Retail Intelligence – January
January 29 – Walmart Enhances Media Operation To Connect Brands With CustomersWalmart has renamed the company’s media group Walmart Connect in a move to underscore its expanding ability to connect brands and its 150 million weekly customers. From: HomeWorld Business January 29 – Coca-Cola, Walmart Team up to Deliver Coffee-Flavored Soda Via DroneCompanies testing commercial drone delivery have…
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Global Retail Intelligence – January
January 20 – Walmart’s Flipkart Puts Fresh Foods Platform on HoldIndia-based Flipkart has put its plans on hold to establish a fresh food platform to sell directly to consumers. Walmart-owned Flipkart has said that it will be difficult to drive traffic and find synergies with its current ecommerce marketplace. From ET Retail January 19 – Alibaba/Tmall Announces Support for New Sellers to…
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The Inspired Home Show
Looking for news about the upcoming The Inspired Home Show? Visit their blog for recent updates!
Executive Networking

CHESS 2019 – Housewares Hot Seat: Recruiting the Next Generation of Housewares Leaders
Moderated by: Peter Giannetti, Editor-in-Chief, HomeWorld Business Panelists:…
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CHESS 2019: The Art of Business Influence
Former stockbroker Mark Jeffries is a popular keynote speaker and moderator/MC for events in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Jeffries has spoken before many business conferences, published two books, is a frequent guest on NBC Today, BBC News and writes for the Huffington Post. He recently launched his…
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Global Retail Intelligence – February
February 17 – Tesco Stores Renamed Across Southeast AsiaCP Group has renamed its Tesco stores across Southeast Asia to Lotus’s. The rebranding follows the USD 10.6 billion acquisition of Tesco’s Asian operations in Thailand and Malaysia in 2020. From Inside Retail February 15 – South Africa’s…
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Global Retail Intelligence – January
January 20 – Walmart’s Flipkart Puts Fresh Foods Platform on HoldIndia-based Flipkart has put its plans on hold to establish a fresh food platform to sell directly to consumers. Walmart-owned Flipkart has said that it will be difficult to drive traffic and find synergies with its current ecommerce…
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Global Retail Intelligence – December
December 15 – Alibaba Announces Launch of Reverse Logistics Channel to Offer Return Service to Hong Kong CustomersCainiao, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group, announced that 85% of goods purchased on Alibaba’s platforms, including Taobao and Tmall, delivered by Cainiao will be eligible for returns…
CONTINUE READINGIndustry Resources

Biden Administration Workplace Rule Changes
One policy area that’s seeing a big shift in Washington, DC, involves workplace rules and regulations. The Biden Administration, along with the Democratic sweep of Georgia’s two Senate seats, will add impetus to legislative and regulatory labor law changes concerning overtime pay; what constitutes a…
CONTINUE READING
IHSA Declares 2020 Refund
The surge in US imports over the last six months has been unprecedented and is causing problems in all facets of the supply chain. Carriers are telling importers to expect this highly volatile market to last through the 2021 Chinese New Year. A few carriers are suggesting this volatility will last…
CONTINUE READING
U.S. Retail Intelligence – January
January 29 – Walmart Enhances Media Operation To Connect Brands With CustomersWalmart has renamed the company’s media group Walmart Connect in a move to underscore its expanding ability to connect brands and its 150 million weekly customers. From: HomeWorld Business January 29 – Coca-Cola,…
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IHA Plans Sourcing Mission to Vietnam
To help members investigate alternatives to sourcing from China, the International Housewares Association will hold a sourcing mission to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, next year. The 2020 Vietnam Sourcing Mission will be offered in two sessions: April 20-22 or April 23-25. Each session is limited to…
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Stats: Sustainability Aware
Sustainability is on the minds of many consumers and they are bringing the topic to both retailers’ attention and product assortments. Sustainability—the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance, according to research firm The NPD Group’s…
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Trends: CBD Mainstreams
We’ve told you this before, but now a new study confirms that Cannabidiol (CBD) continues its mainstream appeal. According to a new NPD Group study, “With cannabis becoming legal in more states, it’s impossible to ignore the potential ramifications for the food 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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