The 2015 International Business Council (IBC) Global Forum will take place in Mexico City on June 14-16. All IHA members who are interested in growing their international sales should attend to learn from and network with industry peers and key retailers.
High-profile topics and speakers confirmed to present include:
Executive Education: Brand Portfolio Management: It’s “Decision Time” for Managing Growth
As a business leader you are faced with tough decisions to manage and deliver profitable growth. What will be the main drivers of your companies’ future success? Focus on and build current products/brands or develop a new offering and a new brand?
In this inspiring and experiential executive education session and workshop, Professor Richard Ettenson will highlight the fact that business leaders’ ability to build their product and brand portfolios often far outstrips their ability to coherently manage these strategic assets. IBC members will discover how to employ the straightforward five-step Brand Portfolio Renewal Tool to optimize companies’ brand portfolios. Presented by: Dr. Richard Ettenson, Professor, Thunderbird School of Global Management
Retail Overview: Canadian Tire, Canada
With more than 440 retail locations throughout Canada, Canadian Tire is a one of Canada’s most renowned and successful retailers, offering customers the convenience and leadership of three specialty stores under one roof – automotive, sports, leisure, and home products. James Ryan, Vice-President of Living Merchandise will present information on working with Canadian Tire, discussing how this retail giant selects products and works with preferred suppliers.
Retail Overview: HEB Mexico, Mexico
A division of Texas-based HEB, HEB Mexico has 50 stores in Mexico with a concentration in the North East region of the country. With plans to expand into Central Mexico, Daniela Romero, Buyer of Kitchen Products, Tableware and China, will discuss the buying practices of HEB and what their expansion plans offer in terms of opportunities to home and housewares product suppliers.
Retail Overview: Steamer Trading, UK
Established in 1985, Steamer Trading is a specialty chain of 34 cook shops in England. gia (IHA Global Innovation Award) global honoree in 2010, Steamer Trading offers over 10,000 products aimed at the mid and high end market, with focus on key brands and product sectors. Managing Director, Ben Phillips, will discuss how he and his team select and source products for his highly successful and unique chain of shops.
Market Overview: ICONO, Mexico
As a successful distributor in the Mexico Market, ICONO has a firm handle on how to manage their retail clients as well as the type of home and housewares products appeal to the consumers within Mexico. With much success distributing branded housewares consumer products throughout Mexico, Miguel Mesinas, Director, will give insight into retail trends and consumer preferences within this market.
Attend the 2015 IBC Global Forum to learn from and network with these and other key buyers and industry influencers. For more information and to register to attend, visit http://www.housewares.org/members/global-forum or contact Lori Szudarek directly at Lszudarek@housewares.org.
Market Overview: Genesis, China
With operations in Shanghai and a country-wide network of resources, Genesis’ Jackson Liang will discuss the challenges and opportunities of the home and housewares market in China. Genesis serves as the distributor for many successful home and housewares brands, utilizing their network of collaborative distributors – working with regional distributors and multiple channels of retail to bring western products to the Chinese consumer.
Market Overview: Yestis, Spain
As the Spanish market recovers from an economic crisis over the last 6 years, consumers levels of disposable income is increasing. To that end, retail is stabilizing, creating renewed opportunities for home and housewares product suppliers. Spanish market expert, and housewares representative, Gabriel Soler of Yestis, will present an overview of the home and housewares market and expectations for this sector.
