Global Opportunities

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

Live from the HECNA Global Forum: Market Reports Across the World, Part 2

In the second half of this morning's session, Lucio Bernal, Home Sentry's General Manager, shared the story of this Colombian retailer and its growth from being hardware focused into a more full-line home products retailer. Free standing stores are approximately 30,000 square feet, and shopping mall stores are approximately 10,000 square feet. Home Sentry is transferring…

Live from the HECNA Global Forum: Market Reports Across the World, Part 1

This morning's program featured market reports on Brazil, France and Australia. The first presentation from Andre Carvalho from distributor Dellar focused on the dynamics affecting the growing consumer market in Brazil. Among his key points are: - Currency fluctuations create challenges for any supplier. - The size of the country makes freight costs a factor in pricing. -…

Live from the HECNA Global Forum: Annemie Fourie and the South African Market

This afternoon, after an informative presentation on EU requirements for food contact products by Donald Moffett, Wilton Brands' Director of Global Compliance and Quality Assurance, Global Forum attendees are learning more about the South Africa market from the ultimate market insider, Annemie Fourie. Ms. Fourie first entered the global housewares marketplace as a…

Live from the HECNA Global Forum: Maarten Sengers & U.S. Export Controls

The second day of the HECNA Global Forum opened in Panama City, Panama with a deep dive into the intricacies of U.S. export controls with a presentation by Maarten Sengers of BSG Consulting. Martin claims, with tongue in cheek, to have dreamed as a child of becoming an export compliance expert. Maartin goes on to share with attendees what the U.S. government…

Live from the HECNA Global Forum: Retail Tour Kicks Off 2013 in Panama!

IHA's HECNA Global Forum kicked-off today in Panama City, Panama with a tour of a broad range of Panamanian retailers. Retail destinations on the roster for Global Forum attendees included: Riba Smith, Piex, Arrocha, Collins, Do it Center, Dorian's, Novy and Stevens along with a stop atAlbrook Mall, with its aisles full of Sunday shoppers. Familiar U.S. And Canadian brands…

Housewares Focus on China & Japan

China and Japan are two dynamic country markets with which you may have prior trade – particularly importing experience. In late September, HECNA is offering an opportunity to conduct business in the reverse direction through exporting. Each of these critical Asian markets presents unique growth trends for you to be aware of and try to capture. As with all market entry,…

A Key Industry Trade Show in Russia

HouseHold Expo, a leading home and housewares industry trade fair in Russia, takes place in Moscow twice a year. The 12th edition of the fair, 2013 HouseHold Expo Autumn is organized on September 17-20, simultaneously with the Stylish Home, Objects & Tableware exhibition. A specialized exhibition of dinnerware, giftware, household and home care goods, HouseHold Expo,…

Business Opportunity in the UAE

Introduced to HECNA by the U.S. Commercial Service in Dubai, Hills Hospitality & Services JLT is a food safety consultancy firm that is interested in U.S. manufacturers who are looking for a distributor in the UAE. Hills Hospitality is especially interested in cooperating with producers of products related to safety in kitchen in order to complete their portfolio of…

Introduction to the New IHA Germany Office: EK/servicegroup

Since July 1, EK/servicegroup eG serves as an IHA and International Home + Housewares Show office covering the markets of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France. The new Germany office, as well as the IHA offices in the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico and Australia, serve as market information resources for IHA/HECNA members who want to expand their international…