Global Opportunities

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

Global Retail Intelligence – January

January 22 – Kaufland to Exit AustraliaSchwarz Group’s Kaufland, with about current 200 employees in Australia and a plan to open 14 stores in Victoria and land purchased in other sites has decided to pull out of the country, indicating that it will continue to focus on core markets in Europe. From Yahoo Finance January 22 – Amazon Australia Launches New Delivery…

Global Retail Intelligence – December

December 13 – Costco Plans Additional Openings in ChinaAfter the success of the August opening of a Costco outlet in Shanghai, the retailer plans another store in China in 2021. More than 240,000 membership have been sold since the August 2019 opening of the Shanghai outlet. From Nikkei Asian Review December 13 – Amazon Opens New Distribution Center in PolandAmazon…

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…

Global Retail Intelligence – November

November 18 – UK’s John Lewis and Waitrose Create New Concept Store The retailers will launch a customer-centric concept shop at which services and experiences, led by expert staff, will offer unique opportunities for customer to experience product. If the concept is successful, John Lewis may roll it out throughout the country. From John Lewis Partnership November 18 –…

Global Retail Intelligence – October

October 22 – Alibaba Aims to Break Records with 11.11 Shopping Festival Alibaba plans to top 2018’s $30bn sales by offering over one million new products to their 500 million registered users. This is the eleventh 11.11 Shopping Festival and the online giant is aiming to upgrade its consumers’ lifestyles through new product and brand offerings. From The Drum October 22 –…

Global Retail Intelligence – September

September 30 – France’s Fnac Opens First Nature & Découvertes Shop-in-ShopA few months after the accusation of a leading omnichannel retailer of products in the natural and well-being sector, Fnac opens its first shop-in-shop location. Article written in French From LSA Commerce & Consommation September 30 – Germany’s Kaufland Expands Delivery Service…

Market Overview: Taiwan and Hong Kong

Presented By: Matthew Ryan - Business Development Manager, citiesocial Matthew Ryan The final presenter of the 2019 Global Forum discussed opportunities in Asia. Matthew Ryan focused on the retail landscape of Taiwan, but also mentioned Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. Since 2017, Matthew Ryan has been the Business Development Manager for Taiwan-based citiesocial.…

Retail Overview: Kulina Czech Republic

Presented By: Patrik Pavlíček - Key Account Director, Kulina Czech Republic Patrik Pavlíček Tuesday, September 17th, Global Forum presented speakers who summarized retail overviews of five regions of the world. As Kulina’s key account director, Patrik Pavlíček is responsible for implementing corporate strategy, developing strong relationships with a portfolio of…

Market Overview: United Kingdom

Presented By: Richard Walker - Commercial Director, Eddingtons Ltd. Richard Walker The Global Forum’s second day, Tuesday September 17, offered a full schedule of presentations to introduce retail overviews of five countries/regions. Richard Walker, commercial director of Eddingtons Ltd discussed the UK market and the distribution firm’s reach through the UK and…