All Posts

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

Housewares Export Council (HECNA) Changes Name to International Business Council (IBC)

The Housewares Export Council (HECNA), a special interest group of International Housewares Association members who sell their products internationally, has changed its name to the International Business Council (IBC). The rebranding, which coincided with the start of IHA’s 2015 membership year on April 1, better defines the global activities of IHA’s international programs and…

Top Trends for the New Normal

Housewares manufacturers need to adapt, inspire and motivate in order to have success with today’s ever changing consumer, Tom Mirabile said at the 2014 International Home + Housewares Show focusing on top trends. “Whether you’re a retailer, manufacturer or wholesaler, a single word encapsulates today’s most crucial business imperative: Adapt,” he said. “Today’s consumer…

New Harmonies: Changing Themes in Color/Design Trends

2015 Pantone Color Palettes Introducing the 2015 Pantone color palettes at the International Home + Housewares Show, Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone Color Institute’s Executive Director, demonstrated the strongest trends in color and styling families – where they are coming from, why they are happening and where they are headed in future. For most consumers today, color and style…

Housewares Exports Grow in 2013

Report and analysis by: Laura Spingola, Trade Resources Ltd. 2013 was a positive year for housewares exports as they grew 3.9% to nearly $4.3 billion. This is a record high! Almost all export markets expanded, though the pace was more moderate than that of the previous four years. Houseware exports have now climbed 12.8% over the past two years. This is a testament to the…

Retail News from Around the World: 4/9/2014

Walmart India Planning a long run in India, Wal-Mart to open 50 wholesale stores in next 4-5 years, to enter ecommerce, strengthen compliance procedures: "Wal-Mart is committed to India and we are excited about our growth plans and we will continue to focus on the cash-and-carry format as we are very happy with the way it has shaped up in the last few years," Walmart Asia…

Australia Home & Housewares Market Overview: Insight to Consumer Buying

IBC Members have access to the Australian Home & Housewares Market Report prepared in September 2013, highlighting specifics makeup of the market in Australia as well as demographics influencing consumer purchasing. In addition to the many Australian retailers described within the Australian Home & Housewares Market Report, members are encouraged to review the…

Helpful Tips for Domestic Licensing

American companies have been successfully manufacturing high quality OEM products in China for decades. Many of the goods produced at their Chinese partner factories are immediately exported back to America or other international markets for outside consumption. With China’s ever-growing middle class and government policies aimed specifically at increasing domestic consumption,…

Discover Design: A Judge’s View of 2014 – Meet Terri Winter

Retailers and media looking for trend-setting, high-design products at the 2014 International Home + Housewares Show headed for Discover Design in South Building. The premier design destination at the Show, Discover Design hosted more than 100 exhibitors that presented distinctive products in the Tabletop, Gift and Home Décor categories. The Show also introduced 10 emerging…

Creating the Retail Identity

Martin Pegler, widely considered one of the world’s foremost experts on retail design and display, likes to say that to make a real impact, the retail store should be theater. With the panel of gia (Global Innovation Award) judges, who described the measures all 15 of this year’s retail winners took to accomplish that goal, Pegler said the winners have developed brand…