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.

Lakeland: Key UK Retailer Update

As a preview to the upcoming IBC Global Forum, to follow is additional information on the Key UK Retailer session presented by Samm Swain, Buying & Merchandising Director for Lakeland: With more than 50 years of operating a successful business, Lakeland is a renowned home and housewares retailer in the UK. In addition to their online business, Lakeland runs 68 stores…

KoolaWorld: South Africa Market Overview

As a preview to the upcoming IBC Global Forum, to follow is additional information on the South Africa Market Overview session presented by David Nourse, General Manager of KoolaWorld: KoolaWorld is an importer and distributor of home and housewares products in South Africa. The company relies on their established relationships with department stores, independent retailers,…

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,…

Let’s Go – Let’s Grow: Reaching Success Factors for Global Growth

As a preview into the upcoming IBC Global Forum, to follow is additional information on the Executive Education Session presented by Dr. Richard Ettenson, Professor of Global Marketing and Brand Strategy of Thunderbird School of Global Management. Dr. Ettenson is an entrepreneur who has founded three start-ups and has published extensively, producing nearly 100 articles,…

Canadian Tire: Key Canadian Retailer Update

As a preview to the presentation during the upcoming IBC Global Forum, the following is a brief on Canadian retailer, Canadian Tire. As of September 20, the speaker for the Canadian Tire presentation will be Doug Young, replacing Oliver Horton. Canadian Tire has a network of more than 1700 stores (to view, click the "View Map" button under the "Locations" section) spread…

2017 Global Forum Recap: Shoppers Stop, India

As the Business Head of the Home Division at Shoppers Stop, Mr. Vikram Chitnis is responsible for merchandising and buying for the company’s HomeStop division. Mr. Chitnis is one of the team that started the importation of home products for Shoppers Stop, and he has been involved in merchandise planning and sourcing since the beginning of the HomeStop concept. Under his…

2017 Global Forum Recap: Tendencias y Conceptos

Mr. Meir Mareyna is the CEO of Mexican distributor Tendencias y Conceptos SA de CV and the founding director of Marketing Olfativo SA de CV. Much of his success with these two companies is attributed to his belief in the philosophies: “Make it great… constantly!”, “Service, service, service” and “flip thinking”. In addition, Mr. Mareyna incorporates finding the strengths of his…

2017 Global Forum Recap: John Lewis, UK

Anna Berry joined the John Lewis Partnership as a graduate-trainee in 1988. Following several positions in branch management, Ms. Berry transferred to a buying in 1993 and has been responsible for purchasing across numerous categories including menswear, sporting goods, gifts, jewelry and most recently, premium beauty. In addition, she has worked on the Electrical and Home…

2017 Global Forum Recap: Venta Korea

Mr. Kim Dae Hyun, president of Venta Korea Co. Ltd., has managed the company for 28 years. Venta’s mission is, “We create a healthy and happy lifestyle with the world’s best products for the Korean people.” Prior to directing Venta Korea, Mr. Kim founded Jin-San, the corporation responsible for servicing Whirlpool white goods in Korea. With this experience, in 1994 Venta Korea…