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…

IBC Global Forum

The IBC Global Forum brings together strategic planning and pragmatic international information to facilitate sales and business development in key export markets. Extensive networking with housewares buyers, industry professionals and seasoned IBC members presents vast opportunities to increase your housewares industry network and sales.

HECNA Global Forum Preview: Lakeland talks UK Retailers

The 2012 HECNA Global Forum is coming up September 19-21 in Scottsdale, AZ. Learn about the annual meeting, which features industry-savvy specialists discussing relevant export topics and providing education on market entry, global product development and marketing strategies. This is the 2012 HECNA Global Forum Preview Series! Matthew Canwell, Lakeland With the focus of…

HECNA Global Forum Recap

By Piritta Torro, International Marketing & Business Development Inspiring Presentations, Productive Networking The 2011 HECNA Global Forum took place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 18-20, followed by an extended visit to Santo Domingo in Dominican Republic on September 21-22. As Valorie Langille of Arrow Plastic summarized it, the Global Forum once again proved to…

HECNA Global Forum sneaking up quickly

By Lori Szudarek, International Services Manager Q: How can I increase my home + housewares exports? A: Attend the HECNA Global Forum – September 18 – 22! Working with many of our IHA member companies, the International Department often receives this question…or a more specific version of the same question, with the goal of expanding into a specific global…

HECNA Global Forum Update: Getting To Know Ambiente Gourmet

By Lori Szudarek, Manager of International Services The Global Forum presents multiple opportunities for attendees to learn about and meet with global retailers who will be in on hand to speak about their retail outlets. Colombian Retailer, Ambiente Gourmet, has 22 stores within Colombia and the surrounding countries. Patricia Valez, CEO of Ambiente Gourmet, will…

HECNA Global Forum: Looking back at 2010 and ahead to 2011

By Lori Szudarek, Manager of International Services The 2010 HECNA Global Forum brought together members of the international business community in Miami, chock-full of opportunities geared towards helping attendees increase exports, international business development and networking with housewares buyers and industry professionals. Attendees to the 2010 Global Forum…

HECNA Global Forum – Education, Networking & Buyer Connections

Author: Derek Miller, Vice President, International, International Housewares Association The Housewares Export Council’s (HECNA’s) mission statement, “a special interest group of IHA members, dedicated to helping its membership market and sell their products internationally by sharing information, providing networking opportunities and offering programs to assist, support…

Building Your Network: International Opportunities

Author: Derek Miller, Vice President, International, International Housewares Association It isn't just what you know, and it isn't just who you know. It's actually who you know, who knows you, and what you do... – Bob Burg (networking guru) Although the IHA doesn’t have keys to open every door in every international market, programs are in-place to provide international…

India’s Retail Market Emerges

Author: Derek Miller, Vice President, International, IHA India’s retail market continues to develop with shopping malls, department stores and hypermarkets being opened on a regular basis. Major corporations are aggressively pushing ahead into the retail sector in order to build retail brands and to capture market share through new concepts, formats and joint…

Sales Opportunities and Networking

Author: Derek Miller, Vice President, International, IHA The 2009 HECNA Global Forum back in September was very successful with over 75 housewares professionals attending. With the economy making this a challenging year, the Global Forum was an energetic and upbeat event with attendees and speakers eager to learn and share their experience. In a half-day session, Randy…

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