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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.

13 Companies Honored with gia Awards for Product Design

Thirteen housewares suppliers ranging from well-established brands to first-time exhibitors were honored as Global Honorees of the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) for product design today. The Global Honorees in each of 13 categories were announced during the invitation-only gia dinner on the first evening of the 2019 International Home + Housewares Show, now taking place…

Trends: Snacking Still in Favor

Despite eating trends ranging from intermittent fasting to advice to “eat three square meals,” at the end of the day, Americans like to snack. That’s according to research firm The NPD Group, which studies these things and has released its Future of Snacking report. And apparently there is a future in snacking. “Snack foods continue to evolve both as between-meal snacks and…

Retailers Search for Trends

As market season peaks with the upcoming International Home + Housewares Show, buyers are putting on their forecasting glasses and searching for the trends that will let them stock stores with merchandise consumers won’t be able to resist. It is a tall task, from finding the right gadget to deciding whether to add a small electric appliance to the mix to wondering whether…

A Smarter Tomorrow: Designing a Connected Home with Meaning

IHA got acquainted with Kelly Clark and Edward Laganis of Smart Design to learn about how designers create connected devices that best fit the needs of people as they live in their homes, which they will describe at the 2019 International Home + Housewares Show. At the Show, the Innovation Theater will feature 21 presentations over four days. Topics discussed will include…

Global Year-End Results

In a summary of 2018 year-end results and 2019 projections, four of IHA’s global partners give members an update of what happened in 2018 in their markets of responsibility as well as some indicators of what 2019 holds: Canada Based on conversations with retailers across the country, the 2018 holiday season in Canada was ‘okay’ or flat. Either on par or slightly below 2017,…

Global Retail Intelligence – February

To follow is a brief review of retail news from around the world: February 19 – Co-op UK Expands Through Franchise Program Co-op UK will offer independent retailers the opportunity to become a part of the brand as it aims to expand beyond the plan to launch around 100 new stores in 2019. From European Supermarket Magazine February 16 – MediaMarkt to Take Over Tesco’s…

Breaking Down the Walls of Innovation: Secrets to Meaningful Product Development

IHA chatted with designer Rob Van Varick of the noted Michael Graves design firm to learn about how to discover opportunities for true innovation in new products, which he will discuss at the 2019 International Home + Housewares Show. At the Show, the Innovation Theater will feature 21 presentations over four days. Topics discussed will include design innovation, smart home,…

Creating SEO-Focused Content for Brands

IHA recently caught up with Jenny Guy and Stephie Predmore from Mediavine, speakers at our upcoming event, The Inspired Home Influencer Conference, which will kick off the 2019 International Home + Housewares Show. Mediavine offers full service ad management including display ad optimization, video monetization and sponsored influencer marketing for 4,300 + publishers with a…