Global Opportunities

Benefit from IHA’s International Business Council, which offers opportunities, education and insight to help members succeed in the global marketplace!

2017 Global Forum Offers Education on Global Sales

Housewares suppliers new to the international arena or veteran sales executives wanting to grow their global business will benefit from IHA’s 2017 Global Forum, to be held Sept. 17-19 in Miami. Overviews by key housewares buyers and distributors covering India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, Mexico and the United Kingdom along with sessions on critical international business…

Venta Korea: Key Korean Market Overview

As a preview to their presentation during the upcoming IBC Global Forum, the following is a brief on Mr. Kim Dae-Hyun and his distribution company, Venta Korea. The South Korean economy has been ranked 4th largest in Asia and 11th in the world and has consistently demonstrated remarkable growth and development. South Korea has very low unemployment and has been called one…

Global Retail Intelligence – July

To follow is a brief review of retail news from around the world: July 27 - Wal-Mart de Mexico Net Profit Rises on Higher Sales, Lower Costs Mexico’s biggest retailer, Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB, said Thursday that its net profit increased 15% in the second quarter as higher sales combined with lower costs and expenses. From The Wall Street Journal July 26 - Amazon…

IHA Members Travel to Mexico to Meet with Key Retailers

Twelve IHA member companies traveled to Mexico to take part in a trade mission to Mexico City and Monterrey in June. The 2017 Trade Mission was a repeat of one held in August of 2016. This year, representatives from the following companies took part: Bodum, Eparé, Equator Appliances, Innova Products, Jascor Housewares, The Legacy Companies, MadeSmart Housewares, Maspion…

IBC 101: International Sales Essentials

As a preview to the presentation during the upcoming IBC Global Forum, the following is a brief on the IBC 101 workshop. Over 25 years ago, at the first several IBC Global Forums (then called the HECNA Annual Meeting), most of the attendees were new in some way to exporting. As the annual IBC Global Forum developed, the IBC Board and membership found that the program would…

Tendencias y Conceptos: Key Mexican Market Overview

As a preview to his presentation during the upcoming IBC Global Forum, the following is a brief on Meir Mareyna and his distribution company, Tendencias y Conceptos. The Mexican economy is ranked 13th in the world with a GDP of $1.5 trillion with 49% of total imports coming from the U.S. With nearly 60 years of experience importing and distributing home and housewares…

EPA: Key Latin American Retailer Update

As a preview to his presentation during the upcoming IBC Global Forum, the following is a brief on Juan Francisco España and EPA home centers in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Venezuela. Headquartered in Valencia, Venezuela, EPA is a large hardware store chain, offering solutions for projects related to construction, decoration and remodeling. EPA stocks a wide…

IHA’s Jeff Murphy Passes Away

Jeff Murphy, 53, vice president, international, at the International Housewares Association, passed away June 7 during a hiking trip to Yellowstone National Park. Jeff’s death was the result of fall near Turkey Pen Peak in Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming, according to National Park Service officials. He went missing on Wednesday and a search began Thursday when his wife notified…

June Currency Outlook

In their June 2017 Currency Outlook report, Tempus, an exchange rate and global payments company, provides a detailed report including the following topics and sections: In Brief The Euro reached its best level in 7 months France elected Emmanuel Macron Oil prices remain low after extension of OPEC’s production curtail US performance slowed, although GDP…