Beth Dempsey, Author at International Housewares Association

Rhetoric Heats up Over Potential Strike at U.S. Ports

The threat of a potential strike at U.S. ports has traditionally been centered around West Coast ports. That is no longer the case. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which represents East and Gulf Coast ports, is warning of a potential strike unless key issues can be resolved. Wages and automation appear to be the key issues that need to be resolved to avert a…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – March

February 29 – How Sam’s Club Is Transforming the Customer Experience The retailer is embracing technology applications in its quest to make shopping and working even easier, including robotics, computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI). From: Progressive Grocer February 29 – Dollar General Reaches 20,000 Stores with New Texas Location DG Markets are a…

State Recycled Content Laws

Laws requiring certain percentages of post-consumer resin content in plastic packaging are gaining traction in some states. According to the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR), by late 2023, seven states were in various stages of implementing such laws, with existing laws in CA, ME, WA and NJ, and a new law in CT and proposed laws in MD and NY. State laws in effect…

Congress Begins Moving a Bipartisan Tax Bill

On January 17, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) announced bipartisan, bicameral tax legislation, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 (TRAFA). To summarize, TRAFA would extend three business tax breaks from 2017’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and expand the child tax credit, with…

IHSA Begins Ocean Contract Negotiations

The ocean shipping market continues to be very unstable as it has been since the beginning of the pandemic. In a short three-year period, shippers have been exposed to record high-rate levels, record low-rate levels, severe space limitations and fractured supply chains. The instability in the Red Sea is the latest hurdle that shippers must now overcome. The majority of…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – February

January 30 – Dollar General Surpasses Milestone of 5,000 Stores Nationwide Offering Fresh Produce. Dollar General has surpassed its latest milestone, now offering fresh produce options in more than 5,000 stores across the country. From: Drugstore News January 30 – Lowe’s Taps TikTok to Connect with Existing and Potential Employees The Lowe’s TikTok account includes more…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – January

December 29 – Holiday Spending Up 3% Over Last Year Retail holiday spending during the 2023 holiday season rose just over 3% year over year, according to data from Mastercard SpendingPulse. From: Hardware Retailing December 27 – Container Store Names Chief Digital Officer; Senior VP of Stores The Container Store has made two additions to its executive leadership team.…

IHA Government Affairs Achievements

IHA has had a number of government affairs achievements in the last four years with some of the more notable victories discussed below. New UPU Agreement: The housewares industry realized a victory when the Universal Postal Union (UPU) agreed to revise international postal rates to stop discriminating against U.S. shippers. Founded in 1875, the UPU sets postal rates among…

Red Sea Attacks Continue

Carriers are facing many uncertainties as we enter 2024. Unstable freight rates caused by vessel overcapacity will be a major topic during the upcoming contract negotiation period. Experts are predicting a four-month window for most Asia to U.S. contract negotiations to be finalized starting January 1 and ending April 30. Unfortunately for the carriers, they don’t have a…