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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.

Teach a Kid to Cook and Gain a Customer

Many retailers who start off offering adult cooking classes up the ante by adding kids’ cooking classes, especially during the summer months when the tots are on school vacation. With parents looking for creative outlets for youngsters, along with the popularity of kids’ cooking shows, those running cooking programs say such classes are a natural fit. “It is socialization in…

Retail Profile: Sweet Basil Gourmetware and Cooking School

Retail Profile: Sweet Basil Gourmetware and Cooking School, Sweet Basil Market Cafe Location: Scottsdale, Ariz. Owner: Martie Sullivan Founded: 1993 Square footage: 4,000 sq. ft. One thing most independent retailers share, if they are in business as long as Martie Sullivan has been, is a talent for being flexible. It is not enough to come up with a good idea. For a store…

Stats: What Are People Eating Now?

According to the 13th Annual Food and Health Survey, released by the International Food Information Council, many in the U.S. are on diets. More than one-in-three U.S. consumers are following a specific diet or eating pattern, the survey found. And consumers are increasingly averse to carbohydrates and sugar, with more Americans than in previous years blaming carbs…

Ocean Network Express Startup Issues

The merger of the three major Japanese container lines, K-line, MOL and NYK into Ocean Network Express (ONE) has gotten off to a rocky start. Industry experts expected a few hiccups during the startup phase of the merger. However, anyone that has shipped or has attempted to ship with ONE can safely say the issues have gone far beyond a few hiccups. IHSA has a contract with…

London Drugs: Key Canadian Retailer Update

As a preview into the upcoming IBC Global Forum, to follow is additional information on the retail overview session presented by James Norris, Merchandise Manager of London Drugs: With more than 17 years of experience working for London Drugs, James Norris, Merchandise Manager, has vast experience working with products in the non-electric housewares, hardware, laundry,…

IHA Members Explore the Home and Housewares Market in Colombia

Nine IHA member companies, looking to enhance sales within Colombia or begin exploring this market as a target for new business joined IHA during the recent Colombia Trade Mission. To begin the Mission, attendees visited home and housewares retail stores in Bogotá during a retail tour. Having the opportunity to see the retail stores prior to meeting with buyers allowed Trade…

June Currency Outlook

In their June 2018 Currency Outlook report, Tempus, an exchange rate and global payments company, provides a detailed report including the following topics and sections: In Brief The USD appreciated 2.2% in May against other major currencies The USD saw its best 2-month advance since 2016 with the April and May appreciation After a month that caused bond market…

Trends: The Current Food Trend? No Food

If everyone you know seems to be on a diet, that’s because most of them are. It’s a trend that is likely to continue to boost sales of Spiralizers and other diet-friendly gadgets, retailers say. In fact, 36 percent of American adults are dieting, more than double from 14 percent a year ago, according to the annual Food & Health Survey, released recently by the International…

Making it an Eventful Summer

While retailers like to hold events year-round, summertime, with its pedestrian-friendly weather, is when stores really get creative. Kitchen a la Mode owner Ben Salmon recently took advantage of the street-facing picture window in his South Orange, N.J., store and parked himself beside it with a knife sharpener. “Start your Memorial Day Weekend with an edge” he posted…