Porland of Turkey, one of the five gia Global Honorees this year, has a long, rich and colorful history. We look into what makes this manufacturer and retailer of porcelain stand out from the rest. by Michelle Hespe Porland’s logo features a ballerina executing a perfect pirouette. This elegant symbol conveys both beauty and strength, reflecting the grounding philosophy of this manufacturer and retailer of porcelain. The word…

CHESS 2019 – Retail’s Seismic Shift: Understanding the Forces Changing Housewares Consumers

Presented by: Michael Dart, Partner, Consumer/Retail Practice, A.T. Kearney Retail specialist and visionary, Michael Dart advises retail and consumer companies on how best to navigate retail’s seismic shifts. He combines his economics and finance training from Oxford University and the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, with more than 25 years of experience consulting with A.T. Kearney and Bain & Co. to provide a unique…

Global Retail Intelligence – April

April 14 – JD.com Creates Offline Catering Supply Chain SolutionJD.com with Juqi, a dinning chain in Beijing, announced a supply chain cooperation, positioning JD.com as the first platform in China capable of providing a one-stop supply chain solution covering both the full category of food and materials supply, and integrated warehousing and distribution services. Through the cooperation, JD will also provide intelligent inventory…

Navigating The Wild West of Ocean Shipping

by Dave Akers, IHSA "Good Judgment comes from experience and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." — Will Rogers Here is how the modern shipping business mirrors the Wild West: 1. The “Gold Rush” Boom and Bust Cycles The Old West was defined by the gold rush with sudden, explosive wealth that created overnight millionaires, followed by devastating busts that left ghost towns behind. Shipping operates on the exact same…

IHA Plans Sourcing Mission to Vietnam

To help members investigate alternatives to sourcing from China, the International Housewares Association will hold a sourcing mission to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, next year. The 2020 Vietnam Sourcing Mission will be offered in two sessions: April 20-22 or April 23-25. Each session is limited to just six companies to provide a high level of service and allow for private meetings and factory tours. The dates were chosen to allow…

Guide to Effective Retail Store Design

by Martin M. Pegler If RETAILING is your chosen path of livelihood, here are some simple guidelines you might like to consider when planning your retail store. 1. Let There Be Light! Without the proper light the merchandise cannot be seen or judged, colors cannot be appreciated, coordinates cannot be assembled, nor buying decisions made. Let your light be the best you can afford to install and use—or, if necessary, skimp on…

Executive Networking

Learn from IHA’s annual CHESS conference, which provides insight and education from political, business and industry experts on a variety of topics to help members build their business!

Housewares Hot Seat Panel: Reclaiming Control in the Digital Jungle

Digital commerce has unlocked dramatic new growth opportunities for housewares, but it also has unleashed new dangers. From the spread of counterfeit products to fake reviews to slashed postal rates on China-direct consumer shipments, the housewares industry is on guard as it works to adapt to a vast digital marketplace without the boundaries, checks and balances of traditional…

The Art of Perception

In what is likely to be the most eye-opening presentation at CHESS, art historian (and former lawyer) Amy E. Herman will train us in new ways to see. Herman applies techniques for analyzing painting, sculpture and photography to real-world needs for acute perception, objective observation and precise communication. Herman’s clients include first responders, military personnel,…

Trends Shaping the Future of the U.S. Retail Landscape

Preparing for the future of your business requires a deep understanding of what’s happening in the present. At IHA’s annual senior-level conference, CHESS presents top experts in their fields who share the latest information that can help industry leaders map their strategies. Don Unser, president of NPD’s retail group, will outline macro trends in the U.S. retail industry…

Sell More Made in USA to Reduce Motivation for More Tariffs

The increasing advantages of producing in the U.S. for the North American market are driving retailers and manufacturers to reshore. Companies announced the reshoring and foreign direct investment (FDI) of approximately 170,000 manufacturing jobs in 2017, up 50 percent from 2016 and 2,800 percent from 2010. Most of the reshoring is in consumer goods. The recent tariff changes…

How Brands Must Evolve to Thrive in the Digital Age

Consumer-facing brands have the opportunity to grow sales through digital commerce channels, but face substantial challenges and risks. If a brand’s digital business professionals do not craft a clear digital commerce strategy, they ultimately empower others at their expense. This session will focus on housewares manufacturers and how their role in retail is changing. …

Retail Evolution and the Housewares Industry

With the overused terms “experiential” and “omni-channel” dominating the retail landscape, Dana Telsey and Joe Feldman will examine key retail trends and explore the ways companies are evolving their strategies, investments and partnerships to drive growth. 8:05 am Wednesday, October 3, 2018 Presenters: Dana Telsey Chief Executive Officer & Chief Research…

Internet Profits: How to Benefit from New Opportunities with Digital Marketing and More

The 2018 CHESS conference will present 10 information-packed presentations by experts in many fields. On Wednesday, October 3, digital marketer Brian Carter will share tips on how to maximize returns on marketing investments with Facebook, Google, Amazon, Instagram and other platforms that have displaced traditional media channels. Carter’s energetic presentation will keep the…

Regulatory Update: The Latest on U.S. International Trade Policy

The most recent round of proposed tariffs on imports from China affects $200 billion of goods, impacting the housewares industry for both finished product and raw materials. This session will address the current state of tariffs and U.S. trade policy with China, and discuss how the housewares supply chain can weather this volatile regulatory environment. John will also address…

Building Your Talent Bench for the Future

How is your team performing today? How are you grooming them to lead your company’s growth in the future? Jacquie Fazekas believes that developing future talent today is one of the most critical strategic initiatives a housewares company should have. In this session, she will offer leadership “Watch-outs,” tips to avoid the effects of poorly groomed and motivated talent, and…

Perfectly Porland