Industry Resources

Learn about IHA’s cost-saving programs, including the International Housewares Shippers Association, designed to help members grow their business!

Infrastructure and “Human Infrastructure” Legislation and Taxes

On August 10, the U.S. Senate passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, H.R. 3684, by a 69-30 vote. This is the bipartisan infrastructure framework (or BIF) that would spend $1.2 trillion over ten years on what’s generally considered to be infrastructure, using a combination of $550 billion in new spending and spending offsets including repurposing $200 billion of…

Port Congestion Going from Bad to Worse

Carriers will be increasing capacity from Asia to US West Coast ports by 22 percent. The influx of the additional capacity will last through the end of the year. US East Coast ports will also see an increase in capacity through the end of the year by 14 percent. Carriers had hoped these additional measures would help shippers meet the surging demand which is expected to last…

U.S.Retail Intelligence – August

August 30 – Dollar General Q2 Beats Street With Eyes On FutureDollar General, looking beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, asserted that it is in good shape despite tough year-over-year comparisons. From: HomePage News August 29 – ShopRite Launches New 'Fresh to Table' In-Store ExperienceA Philadelphia ShopRite store introduces a meal solutions center with a host of fresh, on-trend…

IHA Joins Coalition Backing Federal Bill Aimed at Curbing Unfair Ocean Shipping Practices, Charges

The International Housewares Association has joined a coalition of industry organizations in support of a new federal bill aimed at enacting sweeping changes to the law to curb unfair practices and charges by ocean carriers that have contributed to skyrocketing freight costs and extended delays for U.S.-bound containers. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 is set to be…

U.S.Retail Intelligence – July

July 30 – Infomercial King Ron Popeil Dies On Thursday, July 28, the 86-year old succumb to a brain hemorrhage at a Los Angeles hospital. From: Kitcheware Today July 30 – Amazon Forecasts Slower Growth as it Laps Last Year’s Insane Online Sales Gains Pandemic infused growth will revert to the mean. But more interesting is, did it match with the overall retail slowdown?…

California Bill Would Place New Requirements on Cookware

A bill in the California legislature, California Assembly Bill 1200 (AB 1200), would place new requirements on cookware sold in that state containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS. Introduced in March 2021 by Assemblyman Phil Ting, the bill would actually address two supply chains by prohibiting the use of PFAS chemistries in food packaging beginning on Jan.…

Supply Chain Woes Continue

The shipping environment is wreaking havoc on US importers trying to get products into their supply chains prior to the upcoming holiday season. To make matters worse, there is no end in sight to the shipping turmoil facing shippers. Logistic experts are predicting the current turmoil will last at a minimum through February 2022. Shippers have been left wondering how Asia to…

The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) Explained

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed in March 2020 created a new Employee Retention Credit (ERC) for employers who: Had operations partially or fully suspended as a result of orders from a governmental authority due to Covid-19, orExperienced a decline in gross receipts by more than 50% in a quarter compared to the same quarter in…

All Facets of US Supply Chain in Turmoil

Finding container space is not the only problem facing US importers. Once a container arrives at the marine terminal to be off loaded, the shipper can expect a stack of new problems. Port congestion, chassis availability, truck power, and rail capacity are just a few of the issues preventing cargo from moving freely to US distribution centers. Port congestion has…