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IHA’s blog features informative posts written to keep the housewares industry educated and informed about key strategic issues and IHA member services.

Trends: Turning Food Shoppers into Housewares Buyers

Thanks to the rebound of home cooking, retailers have more chances than ever to turn food shoppers into housewares buyers, according to a panel of retailers and category experts at the 2016 International Home + Housewares Show. Think healthy cooking, starting with the gadgets used to slice and dice a home-cooked meal. For those who might have missed the Show, the seminar,…

Retail Profile: The Good Table

Retailer: The Good Table Location: Belfast, Maine Owner: Vicki Tarbell Founded: 1989 Square footage: 4,000 sq. ft. The sleepy town of Belfast, Maine, has changed since Vicki Tarbell first opened her store, The Good Table, in 1989. Buoyed by the stunning mid-coast Maine scenery, the area has grown as a vacation destination for summer visitors and residents from, as…

Retailers Applaud 2016 Housewares Show Product Innovation, Exhibitors

Retailers who attended the 2016 International Home + Housewares Show last March praised the Show for its wealth of exhibitors and new product, as well as the chance to get in a good, daily workout. “We attended the IHA Show in March as we always profit from the information gained early in the year while attending that show,” says Martha Nading, owner of The Extra Ingredient,…

2016 Global Forum – Recap & What’s Next for IHA Members Looking to Grow Global Sales

During the 2016 International Business Council’s Global Forum, held in Chicago, June 8-10, attendees came to discuss difficulties with international sales and seek solutions through networking with other IHA suppliers in attendance. One attendee noted, “It was great to brainstorm with other companies and to realize that our issues are not unique. It's good to know there are…

Ocean Freight Update: Ocean Carriers’ Action Indicates Weak Demand

Ocean carriers are entering their busiest shipping phase known as peak season to those familiar with the container shipping industry. It is traditional for ocean carriers to impose a “Peak Season Surcharge” (PSS) on containers shipped from Asia to the United States during this peak period. The PSS is a good tool for shippers to gauge how carriers view future demand in the…

Wal-Mart to sell Chinese online business to retailer JD.com

According to the Walmart corporate website, the retailer "announced that they have formed a strategic alliance to better serve consumers across China through a powerful combination of e-commerce and retail." “We’re excited about teaming up with such a strong leader in JD.com, and the potential that this new relationship creates for customers in China, as well as for our…

Coloring Carefully

Henrik Peter Reisby Nielsen on using color on website Henrik is the CEO and Founder of CleverBinder, a productivity service that connects retailers and their customers via truly innovative software solutions. He also owns ReisbyConsult, a consulting company for retailers on design, color palattes, innovation and new technology. “It takes a lot of effort, knowledge and…

Market Overview: Denmark, Norway and Sweden

After hearing about the largest economy in the world, 2016 Global Forum attendees learned about the smaller, differentiated markets of Scandinavia to close the conference. Linus Kolmevik is the owner of Hippie de Luxe, a distributor of high-end kitchen tools and gadgets, kitchen living and small appliances within the Nordic markets of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Hippie de Luxe…

Retail Overview: VIP.com China

On Friday morning at the IBC Global Forum, Tony Shan presented details on selling directly to the 180 million registered users of VIP.com, a Chinese online retailer. Tony is responsible for business development and merchandising for VIP.com within the Americas with offices in New York. In December 2008, VIP.com introduced its B2C online sales model to the Chinese consumer…