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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.

IHSA Finalizes Ocean Contract Negotiations

After two months of negotiating with ocean carriers, the International Housewares Shippers Association (IHSA) is pleased to report that contract negotiations have been finalized. IHSA’s 2016-17 ocean carrier program offers rates and services with 11 different ocean carriers capable of providing service to and from every major trade lane in the world. The contract rates are…

Calif Companies May be Eligible to Receive Export Support

California companies, ready to export but need help with their export promotion activities, are encouraged to learn more about services available through the Center for International Trade Development (CITD) . CITD is a valuable resource for export promotion activities and through their STEP-ICEP program (State Trade Expansion Program-Individual Company Export Promotion)…

Kitchenware Veteran

One of five global honorees in the 2016 IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) — Kitchen Shop in Malaysia — is out to help people live more healthily while also taking care of the environment. Next year, Katrin BJ, the Malaysian holding company for 25 homeware and kitchen retail specialty shops in Malaysia, including Kitchen Shop, House of Presentation (HOS), La Gourmet Shop,…

Consumer Media Coverage Shines in Chicago! – Part 2

The International Home + Housewares Show generates more than 350 million consumer impressions. To follow are select highlights of consumer coverage. To see even more coverage, be sure to read Part 1 of this article series! Chattanooga Time Free Press El Paso Times About.com Chicago Tribune Miami Herald Examiner.com CBS…

Four Speakers Announced for 2016 IBC Global Forum

The 2016 IBC Global Forum will take place in Chicago on June 8-10. All IHA members who are interested in growing their international sales should attend to learn from and network with industry peers and key retailers & distributors. Four high-profile speakers confirmed to present include ACE Hardware Indonesia, Corporación Lady Lee and Hippie De Luxe. Details on…

Consumer Media Coverage Shines in Chicago!

Every year, hundreds of consumer media writers and bloggers visit the International Home + Housewares Show to find the latest products that will make an impact in the lives of consumers. This media coverage generates over 350 million consumer impressions in the United States alone, giving Show exhibitors nearly $10 million in free publicity. To see even more coverage, be sure…

Success to the Bold Innovator Friends

In March this year, retail store K’OOK! from the Netherlands became one of five global honorees celebrated at the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) in Chicago. In 2005, two friends with a passion for cooking and a desire for a new life, joined forces and established a small 35 square meter retail store in the Netherlands’ Wormerveer. Fast forward eleven years, and K’OOK!…

Local Lords

In Chicago this year, UK-based retailer Lords was chosen one of the top five retail stores in the world in the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) hosted by the International Housewares Association. Upon meeting the founding sisters of Lords — Rachna Dewan and Rita Dewan — there is an immediate sense of warmth, support and comradery. The pair, who are (respectively) Director…

Tesco Shows Volume Growth

The New York Times reported on April 14 that British retailer Tesco has reported positive sales results. “’More customers are buying more things more often at Tesco, said [Dave Lewis, Tesco’s chief executive], highlighting a fourth-quarter British volume growth of 3.3 percent and a 2.8 percent rise in customer transactions.” For more information, please click here.…