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…
CONTINUE READINGHousewares Industry
Insights,
Opportunities
and
Education
-
Supply Chain Variables Cloud the Future
The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA22, S. 3580) signed on June 16 by President Joe Biden is a major step toward fixing supply chain problems that involve ocean carrier practices. An immediate benefit for trucking firms and shippers is that OSRA now requires 13 specific items of information on carriers’ invoices and failure to include such information relieves the need to pay. This is a…
CONTINUE READING -
Two Important Trade Developments
On June 16, President Joe Biden signed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA22, S. 3580) into law. This followed the House’s June 13 passage of the Senate version 369-42 in response to White House pressure for House Democrats to accept the Senate bill and quickly get a much-needed victory to the President’s desk. This rare and meaningful bipartisan achievement will strengthen Federal…
CONTINUE READING -
USTR China Tariff Review Process Underway
As required by law, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced May 3 that it has initiated a four-year “review of necessity” process for tariffs on Chinese imports under Sec. 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. In a May 10 speech, President Joe Biden said combating inflation is his top domestic priority citing the pandemic, supply chain issues and war in Ukraine as the primary causes, and that he…
CONTINUE READING -
Congestion Switching to East Coast Ports
Shippers are watching how the contract talks between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) will play out during the month of June. Key players on both sides have indicated they expect a smooth negotiation process even if a contract is not concluded by the June 30, 2022 expiration date. Shippers are hoping negotiations between the ILWU and…
CONTINUE READING -
IHA Board Spring Strategic Meeting Focuses on Rebuilding Show Based on 2022 Enthusiasm, Continuing to Offer Member Services to Support Industry
ROSEMONT, Ill. (May. 18, 2022)—Members of IHA’s Board of Directors and several past Chairs gathered together along with senior IHA staff to review results of The Inspired Home Show 2022 and to discuss strategic direction for IHA, the Show and other IHA member services for 2023 and beyond. After a review of Association activities over the last two years, results of The Inspired Home Show 2022 and…
CONTINUE READING -
The Ocean Shipping Reform Act goes to a House-Senate Conference
Key to untying the Gordian knot known as the supply-chain crisis is recognizing and addressing unreasonable business practices by ocean carriers. Some of these practices can likely be attributed to consolidation, and a recent report by Commissioner Carl Bentzel, Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), finds the shipping container (“containerization”) was a key factor in this…
CONTINUE READING
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:…
CONTINUE READING
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…
CONTINUE READINGGlobal Opportunities

Global Retail Intelligence – December
December 14 – Auchan Declares No Discussions about Tie-Up with Carrefour Previously reported discussions between France’s Auchan and Carrefour to tie-up the two retailers are now reported to be over, with Auchan declaring that there is no contact between the two families that control Auchan…
CONTINUE READING
Global Retail Intelligence – November
November 17 – Moderna Rolls Out Maxi Store Format With 170 stores, located in the Campania, Basilicata, Calabria and Puglia regions of Italy, Italy’s Moderna 2020 Rolls Out Maxi Store Format in Pompei. Moderna 2020 is a leading company in the organized retail distribution sector in Southern Italy…
CONTINUE READING
Supply Chain Spend in 2022 – Setting the Stage
By Thomas A. Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International The Covid-19 pandemic brought significant increases in logistics costs and supply chain spend, along with limitations on service both domestically and internationally. Initial predictions pegged the disruption to continue into…
CONTINUE READINGIndustry Resources

Supply Chain Variables Cloud the Future
The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA22, S. 3580) signed on June 16 by President Joe Biden is a major step toward fixing supply chain problems that involve ocean carrier practices. An immediate benefit for trucking firms and shippers is that OSRA now requires 13 specific items of information…
CONTINUE READING
Are $20,000 Spot Rates a Thing of the Past?
The worsening state of the global economy is starting to negatively impact the record high ocean spot rates that have overwhelmed shippers the last two years. Everyone involved in international shipping, including the ocean carriers, knew that the record high spot rates were not sustainable over a…
CONTINUE READING
U.S. Retail Intelligence – July
July 30 – Shopify Reports $1.2B Net Loss, Lays Off 10% of its Workforce The company’s e-commerce gamble “didn’t pay off,” CEO Tobi Lütke said, and it expects operating losses through the rest of the year. From: Retail Dive July 29 – Amazon Posts Q2 Loss Against Earnings Expectations Amazon fell…
CONTINUE READINGEducation

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…
CONTINUE READING
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…
CONTINUE READING
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…
CONTINUE READINGInspiration Magazine

Heart of the Community
Jamie Butler went from running a kitchen and homewares business from a retro-inspired truck that became a well-known attraction at farmers’ markets, to owning a much-loved store that has community firmly in its heart. by Michelle Hespe Jamie Butler has always loved beautiful and…
CONTINUE READING
Wings of Success
gia Global Honoree—Westwing Brasil—initially made its name and garnered its millions of followers online. Today however, its physical stores are proving to be just as popular, and as wonderfully creative, as its online campaigns and editorially led content. by Michelle Hespe Westwing…
CONTINUE READING
Immersion in the Weekend Life
The Argentinian gia Global Honoree—PAUL French Gallery—is a hidden sanctuary where relaxed weekend vibes are celebrated through an eclectic curation of beautiful products in a market-like atmosphere. by Michelle Hespe “We wanted to keep the original environment exposed, as we believe…
CONTINUE READING