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.

The Tortoise Club, Chicago’s Premier Supper Club

By: Keene & Megan Addington, Owners Tortoise Supper Club is one of the rare family-owned restaurants in the River North area of Chicago, founded by lifelong Chicagoans Keene and Megan Addington. In true supper club style, guests can experience classic American dishes like steaks, chops, and seafood with knowledgeable and friendly service. Everything from sauces to syrups…

Omnichannel Impact on Housewares: Havoc or Opportunity?

IHA caught up with Peter Greene, practice director of consumer durables at Numerator, based in Chicago and San Francisco, to learn about research on omnichannel shopping behavior, 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…

Adding History to Your Story

by Martin M. Pegler When you do a display—or merchandise presentation—you tell a “story”. It can be about how the products being featured complement a particular lifestyle or enhance an upcoming holiday dinner, or a new look or trend in home or housewares. Whatever you are trying to promote will benefit if you can illustrate a story in your display, especially if you can…

Experience the Hip & Historic Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel

The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel is a hotel partner for the 2019 Show! Book now and enjoy these incentives: Rates as low as $149 (early-bird rate expires December 31) Complimentary Guest Room Internet and Fitness Center Access Self-service business center and connectivity station Triple Points Earned 25% discount in Lockwood Restaurant & Bar and Potter's…

Increasing Impulse Shopping

by Martin M. Pegler If visual merchandising or display is vital anywhere in the retail space, it must be where impulse items are being offered. The whole concept of “impulse shopping” is based on attracting the shopper to a product that she did not come into the store to buy. It means, “waving a flag” in front of her—making her stop, take notice of, maybe try or touch, and…

Small Business Saturday – Business as Usual?

If you are an independent gourmet retailer your store was probably going to be open Saturday, Nov. 24 anyway. But did the fact that the date was Small Business Saturday help your business? “While we are looking forward to a strong, successful Christmas season, we didn’t do well during Small Business Saturday,” says Hannalore Holland, owner of Somethin’s Cookin’ in Panama…

Leverage Trends to Trigger Transactions: Motivate Shoppers to Buy Your Products

IHA got acquainted with marketing strategist Brian Gracon to learn how to understand consumer trends that motivate shoppers 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, digital commerce, and global market…

Retail: A Mix of Science and Art

Anna Berry is Partner and Head of Buying, Gifts, Cook and Dine, at John Lewis & Partners in the UK. After three decades with the company, she continues to inspire the industry by approaching buying as a mix of science and art. by Michelle Hespe Who doesn’t love a beautiful, immaculate department store filled with exciting things to see and do? Lights showcasing shiny…

Survival and Success in the Retail Renaissance

by Tom Mirabile “It’s no secret the marketplace is experiencing unprecedented and rapid changes in how consumers gather information, shop and buy products. But these changes represent tremendous opportunities for the housewares industry,” said Tom Mirabile, consumer trend forecaster for the International Housewares Association and senior vice president of global trend and…