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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.

CHESS 2017 Recap: Future Shift & Transformation 2017-2037

David Houle, Futurist, David Houle & Associates, opened the second day of the conference with a mind-expanding presentation that reframed information presented on the first day and gave the audience a new perspective for sessions to follow. Author, lecturer and educator David Houle has spoken to 3500 groups of business leaders and last addressed CHESS in 2015. He began…

Export 101: Understanding Export Mechanics

When shipping goods internationally, the process can be quite overwhelming. Negotiating terms, determining shipping methods and obtaining best costs are difficult for all but the most experienced companies. This article will discuss two important topics that any new exporter/importer will find useful – Incoterms and Freight Forwarders. INCO Terms Incoterms are maintained by…

CHESS 2017 Recap: The Tax & Budget World Under Trump

With more than three decades of experience in Washington—as high-level Congressional staff and advisor, attorney, and as a consultant to corporations and associations on legislative and tax policy issues, Kenneth J. Kies, Managing Director, The Federal Policy Group, offered his insights on the current political environment. Speaking just ahead of the lunch break, Kies presented…

Global Retail Intelligence – October

To follow is a brief review of retail news from around the world: October 31 – Chedraui Plans to Open Between 20 and 50 Supercito Stores in 2018 Mexican grocery and general merchandise retailer Chedraui, the country’s third largest retail chain, is focusing its growth strategy on its new reduced size Supercito store formats. *This article is written in Spanish. From…

CHESS 2017 Recap: The Evolution of E-Commerce

How to Win in E-Commerce: Key Considerations for Manufacturers as Consumers Shift Spending Online... Niraj Shah CEO, Co-Chairman and co-founder, Wayfair... Niraj Shah addressed trends in e-commerce, Wayfair’s history and online opportunities for housewares products. He explained some pain points in ecommerce and outlined Wayfair’s solutions. Spending has moved online…

CHESS 2017 Recap: Disruption in Retail

CHESS favorites Dana Telsey, CEO and Chief Research Officer, Telsey Advisory Group, and Joe Feldman, Senior Managing Director and Assistant Director of Research, Telsey Advisory Group, presented their annual analysis of the current retail landscape. Founded in 2006, the Telsey Advisory Group (TAG) a leading equity research, sales and trading, consulting, and investment banking…

Stats: Wellspring for Hydration

Consumers are taking their water with them—whether they are hiking, going to the gym or even heading into the office—and products that help with that are selling well. That’s according to a recent study by The NPD Group Inc., which reports that Hydration represents a $345.7 million dollar growth category for the outdoors industry. But kitchenware retailers can ‘tap’ into the…

From Farm to Magnificent Mile

The Chicago Marriott Downtown’s Food Philosophy Showcased at a Farm-To-Table Culinary Experience By: Sharon Bellock As the negotiator for the International Home + Housewares Show’s hotel rates, I get to develop relationships with some of the finest hoteliers in Chicago. Stemming from those relationships comes knowledge of positive initiatives that most wouldn’t realize,…

CHESS 2017 Recap: Generational Family Feud

Moderators: Warren Shoulberg, Publisher/Editorial Director, Home & Textiles Today, Editorial Director, HFN and Gifts & Decorative Accessories... Maureen Azzato, Publisher/Editorial Director, HFN... Taking a cue from a popular TV show, Warren Shoulberg and Maureen Azzato created a fun and interactive presentation to highlight some differences and similarities…